'He was a great horse and a marvellous ambassador for Hong Kong racing. He never let anyone down,' says Allan
Indigenous, who died this week as a result of a mystery illness, will always be remembered as the first horse to put Hong Kong racing on the international map.
And among the thousands of winners ridden by four-time champion jockey Douglas Whyte, the grand galloper will always hold a special place of affection, having given him two of the biggest thrills in his prodigious career.
Indigenous, owned by Mr and Mrs Louis Pang Yuen-hing, died last Sunday, three days after collapsing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Tuen Mun riding school. He was 11 and had been retired since June 3 last year.
The Jockey Club said Indigenous passed away 'despite intensive veterinary care, following a recent illness that caused him to collapse'. Examinations and tests are being performed to try to identify the cause of the problem that has not affected any other horse at the school and seems most unlikely to have been infectious. According to his long-time trainer, Ivan Allan, the problem was probably some combination of infection and neurological failure, but the autopsy will probaly provide more insight.
'It was very sad news that we have lost him,' Allan said. 'He was a great horse for his owners and for the stable and a marvellous ambassador for Hong Kong racing. He never let anyone down.'