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This year has been rewarding for the Godolphin owned and André Fabre trained Tribalist, having won four from five, including his biggest success in the mile Group 2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud in May.
Winner of six of his sixteen races, Tribalist is scheduled to race in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday 10 December. Despite being a last start winner, he will face a formidable challenge.
Following his win in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet, he defied a weight penalty to land the Group 3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil at Chantilly in June before being given a break for the remainder of summer.
Tribalist returned after the break with a third in Saint Cloud's mile Group 3 Prix Perth and was returned to Listed class for his subsequent outing in the Listed Prix Tantième, at the same course. He ploughed through the testing conditions, leading throughout and repelling challengers whilst carrying a weight penalty. The colt pulled clear of rivals to score by a length in a very slow time of 1:55.49, showing just how heavy the track was.
Hong Kong will be Tribalist's first experience of international travel.
Following his win at Saint Cloud, Godolphin's French representative Louise Bénard spoke to French publication Jour-de- Galop and said:
"We have had some emotions because, in this complicated terrain, we saw all the horses struggle to the finish. At one point, I thought the others were going to come back to him, but he finally won because he has quality. Tribalist has heart, and he always gives the best of himself. We are fully satisfied.
"All throughout the year, Tribalist demonstrated that he had the level of these races. Concerning the ground which should be lighter, this shouldn't be a problem for him. We wish him the best there. And we must not forget that it is under the responsibility of the best trainer in France…"
Tribalist, along with the other two French representatives – Horizon Dore and Junko – are scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on Friday 1 December, departing from Amsterdam.
Andre Fabre will be doubly represented with Tribalist and Junko in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. The pair will face the local champion Golden Sixty, who will be having his first run since taking the mile Group 1 Champions Mile over course and distance in April. Winner of twenty five of his twenty-nine starts, Golden Sixty will be attempting to equal Good Ba Ba's record of three successive wins in the race. He has been successful in nine Group One races and thirteen over track and trip. Five previous Group 1 winners are engaged with three Japanese runners including the filly Namur, recently successful in the Mile Championship in Kyoto.
Tribalist will be ridden by Godolphin's French rider Mickael Barzalona, who said:
"He's a horse who can keep up a real gallop and who is very tough. He won the other day at Saint-Cloud on heavy ground, he is improving, and he hasn't had a really hard year. This is a great end-of-year objective for him."
