3 minute read

A good international season at the highest level for Irish-bred horses continued last weekend in Hong Kong and Australia.

On Sunday Designs On Rome drew the highest praise as he led home an Irish-bred first four in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin.

Trainer John Moore, successful in the middle leg of the local Triple Crown for the 11th time, described the son of Holy Roman Emperor as his finest winner of the race.

Designs On Rome defeated stable companion Helene Happy Star (IRE) by half a length with Military Attack (IRE) third.

It was the Moyglare Stud-bred six-year-old's sixth win at the highest level in Hong Kong where he was Horse of the Year in 2013/14 when he won the HK Derby and Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.

He hasn't done too badly for a horse that cost €10,500 at the Orby sale at Goffs as his earnings for owner Cheng Keung-fai stand at €6.8 million.

Pat Flynn was his former trainer and in Ireland he is best remembered for finishing second to Dawn Approach in the G1 National Stakes of 2012 before his sale to Hong Kong.

The latest win by Designs On Rome came just days after the retirement was announced in Hong Kong of another Irish-bred warrior Lucky Nine.

The champion sprinter-miler was purchased for a paltry €9000 at Tattersalls Ireland in 2008 by Andy Oliver and went on to win over €6 million in stakes in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Japan and Dubai.

At Caulfield on Saturday the G2 Peter Young Stakes was won by Godolphin's Irish import Bow Creek, promoting him to favouritism for the G1 Australian Cup on March 12.

Bred by Roundhill Stud, the Shamardal entire is a half-brother to Dare To Dream (IRE), who was twice Group-placed in Australia.

They are out of the G3 winner Beneventa, out of a half-sister to G3 winner Bay Empress and to the dam of Vintage Stakes winner Orizaba.