Chow dies three days after Derby success
The Hong Kong Derby story took on a tragic postscript yesterday with the news that Chow Nam, owner of last weekend's classic hero Vengeance Of Rain, died on Wednesday during a visit to Dongguan in Guangdong province.
David Ferraris, who trained Vengeance Of Rain to that memorable Derby triumph, received the tragic news in a telephone call from Chow's son, Winston, yesterday morning. The cause of death is understood to have been a heart attack.
'It was a very sad day at our stables, I can tell you,' Ferraris said. 'Mr Chow was a delightful man, an absolute gentleman, and never gave me a moment's worry since Vengeance Of Rain first came into the stable. He trusted me to do the right thing with the horse and left all the decisions up to me. He trusted my judgment and planning completely, and never questioned anything I wanted to do.
'To win the Hong Kong Derby was apparently a lifetime dream of his, and I'm very proud to have been able to achieve that for him. But the news of his passing is such a shock.
'I understand he suffered a heart attack but I don't have any other details - Winston was very upset and emotional when he called me. I don't mind admitting I shed a few tears this morning.'
Vengeance Of Rain has accelerated through the rankings in the space of three runs to become one of the best horses in Hong Kong.
He is now on target to represent his adopted homeland against international competition in the $14 million Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin on April 24.
Chow raced Vengeance Of Rain in partnership with another son, Raymond Gianco Chow Hon-man.
