Most loved and slightly shy – the horse of Hong Kong

Bought and moved to Hong Kong when he was just two years old, Golden Sixty has a unique character that makes him a hugely popular horse.

“To me, he’s really a world champion. I think in a lifetime, we could only meet one horse like him. He fights hard every time he is in a race, he just tries to pass the horse in front of him,” says Francis Lui, who has been training Golden Sixty since the horse arrived in Hong Kong.

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“I’m lucky to have him,” adds Lui.

Golden Sixty is recognisable by his white star and snip (a birthmark between his eyes and on the muzzle) as well as white sock-like markings on his back legs.

Since arriving to Hong Kong in October 2018, the champion thoroughbred has been breaking records and dominating Hong Kong’s horse racing scene – especially over the last two seasons.

He has taken a record-setting 22 wins and US$14.5 million (HK$113 million) in prize money in his short career so far, including success at the Hong Kong Triple Crown, one of the most prestigious and testing of all race series in the city.

Unsurprisingly, the seven-year-old was named Hong Kong Horse of the Year in both the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons and was voted the Most Popular Horse of the Year for the last three years.

Accolades aside, the galloper is also adored for its all-Hong Kong team.

Owned by Stanley Chan Ka-leung, the horse has been trained by Lui and ridden solely by Ho.

Both Ho and Lui are graduates of Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School.

“He’s very special for everyone in the team and Hong Kong fans. You know you don’t come across this sort of horse that easily. With good owners and a good team, we cherish [this opportunity] for our whole life,” says Ho.

Though he is an easy horse to train and ride, Golden Sixty has an introverted side too.

“I come and visit him after work most of the mornings. I will come and see him and give him carrots. He is actually very gentle except you can’t casually walk in [his box]. You have to know him very well,” says Ho.

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Lui adds, “You know when you go inside his box, maybe you can explain – like you have to ask for his permission.”

Defending his title against international champion horses

This year, Golden Sixty will represent the city once again and defend his title at the annual Hong Kong International Races on December 11.

Lui says he is still very nervous as he waits for Golden Sixty rushing through the finishing line, cutting it close every time.

He will compete in the Longines Hong Kong Mile, a 1,600-metre race with 12 of the best racehorses from around the world, including seven winners of international Group 1 races – the highest level of horse racing.

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It’s one of the four Group One races – the Longines Hong Kong Sprint, Longines Hong Kong Mile, Longines Hong Kong Cup and Longines Hong Kong Vase – that will happen on the same day during the Hong Kong International Races, with a prize amount totalling at a staggering US$14 million (HK$110 million).

It is the grand finale of a series of world-class racing events being held in Hong Kong from December 5 to 11, kicking off today.

A separate Longines International Jockeys’ Championship will be held at Happy Valley Racecourses on December 7.