Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai has confirmed the career of champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom will continue after he emerged unscathed from his fifth to Eagle Regiment in the Centenary Sprint Cup on Sunday.
The multiple Group One winner appeared to have every chance and just didn't let down strongly enough to take the prize.
In the heat of the moment, neither Yiu nor jockey Zac Purton was making any excuse in defeat, but stewards later reported the gelding had lost his front left shoe during the race.
'The horse has come out of the race in good condition. His hoof was not damaged when he lost the shoe and he will continue on to the Chairman's Sprint Prize next month,' Yiu said.
The eight-year-old is still looking for one more victory to take his tally to a new Hong Kong all-time record of 18 successes - a mark he currently shares on 17 wins with Silent Witness.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards will be seeing plenty of trainer Andy Leung Ting-wah today.