Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2023-02-18 18:06:23  
Russian Emperor rules in Qatar's H.H. The Amir Trophy

 

 Russian Emperor landed a famous victory for Hong Kong in the QAT G1 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) for trainer Douglas Whyte and jockey Alberto Sanna on Saturday afternoon (18 February) at Al Rayyan in Doha, Qatar.

Settled at the rear of the field throughout against runners from Ireland, France, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Sanna bided his time aboard last season’s Hong Kong Champion Stayer (2021/22) before peeling out on the turn for home to loom large with 300m left to run.

Surging with unanswerable late burst, Russian Emperor made history as the first winner for Hong Kong in Qatar by taking the US$2.5 million (approx. HK$19.6 million) contest as he defied Warren Point for Godolphin and the French-trained Bolthole in 2m 25.46s.

“It’s amazing – it’s the first time I have travelled a horse abroad and I’m only new to the training ranks but he’s a special horse to me,” Whyte said.

The win was Russian Emperor’s fifth of his career having prevailed in Ireland and Great Britain for Aidan O’Brien prior to transferring to Hong Kong. The Galileo gelding won the 2022 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and 2022 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) last season in Hong Kong – his only wins in the city.

“I’ve won two Group 1 races with him in Hong Kong and I just thought he was the right horse to travel with temperament-wise. I must say that he’s really blossomed since he’s landed in Qatar,” Whyte said.

Russian Emperor holds entries for both the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) and G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night (25 March).

Sanna – who hails from Italy – is based in Qatar and was elated with victory this afternoon.

“All the credit to Douglas, who was my friend when I was there (in Hong Kong). He trusted me and he put me back on his top horse,” Sanna said.

Russian Emperor – a six-year-old – finished sixth last time out behind Golden Sixty in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at the start of this month before departing for the Middle East.

“It’s very good and a happy race for me,” Sanna said. “Everything went to plan and dreams come true sometimes.”

Senor Toba – who also represented Hong Kong in the race – finished a gallant seventh after racing between runners early on under jockey Harry Bentley for trainer Caspar Fownes.

France’s Inverness finished fourth, while the O’Brien-trained Broome crossed in fifth position.

Hkjc

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • International
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    canadian international returns to woodbine calendar7 days ago

     One of the most beloved and iconic races on the Woodbine Thoroughbred calendar has a date in t...

    View | Add Comment
    panthalassa never headed in saudi cup win2023-02-25

    The fourth running of the US$20,000,000 Saudi Cup went the way of Japan for the first time courtesy ...

    View | Add Comment
    baffert relying on old guns to win saudi cup2023-02-23

    American trainer Bob Baffert is reckoning on the expertise of superstar veterans Frankie Dettori and...

    View | Add Comment
    customer engagement key to racing's future 2023-02-17

    Global cooperation in expanding the World Pool, enhancing integrated customer experience and engagin...

    View | Add Comment
    racing's challenges outlined in arc address2023-02-17

      The Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) and Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Ko...

    View | Add Comment
    flightline joint highest rated horse ever2023-01-17

    Following a historic year, FLIGHTLINE (USA) [140] has been named the 2022 Longines World’s Bes...

    View | Add Comment
    santa anita and japan record major tote turnover boosts2022-12-28

      Whilst South African operators are battling to make headway with dwindling turnovers and dis...

    View | Add Comment
    james mcdonald named world's best jockey 2022-12-01

    James McDonald proved unstoppable during the 2022 Longines World’s Best Jockey competition. He...

    View | Add Comment
    flightline price set, stallions compared 2022-11-10

    Flightline, the star of the horseracing world of late, has been retired to Stud. The key next questi...

    View | Add Comment
    playing games in woodbine mile2022-09-19

    Modern Games (IRE), a 3-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE)-Modern Ideals (GB), was simply stunning in vict...

    View | Add Comment