Only hours after having its colours carried to victory in Australia in the G1 Flight Stakes, the China Horse Club moved swiftly and clinically to secure four outstanding proven racehorses as part of an expansion of its international racing operations.
Auvray, Crisolles, Burnt Sugar and Orbec were secured in France overnight as part of the CHC’s long term plans for more regular involvement in elite international racing. Crisolles and Burnt Sugar will be racing today at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting in Paris in CHC colours. This meeting is rated as one of the world’s best race days.
Crisolles
Crisolles, who ran second in the G2 Shadwell Prix De La Nonette to undefeated Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Avenir Certain at her last start, takes her place in the G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines (2000m).
Burnt Sugar
Burnt Sugar, a last start winner of the G3 Sirenia Stakes, joins a select band of runners looking to beat star juvenile The Wow Signal in the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m). The CHC and its partner Coolmore, jointly own the dam of The Wow Signal.
Auvray
Demand for the lightly raced colt Auvray rose noticeably last night after he saluted for the fifth time in only 10 career starts in yesterday’s G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay (3000m). The victory was timely. It also ensured he meets the first stage of qualification for the 2015 $A6,175,000 Melbourne Cup and the $A2,500,000 Caulfield Cup among a number of other high profile races in Australia.
Orbec
Orbec, the fourth of the purchases made, is a listed winner and was fourth in the G2 Prix Hocquart from only seven career starts. The club also bought out partners in its current listed placed filly Jiayuguan.
“Nothing is done by chance. Planning for the growth of our international racing arm has long been in place but the execution of certain parts of this plan are determined by opportunity and timing,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager of the China Horse Club.
“Both fell into place yesterday. There were some exceptional racing prospects listed for sale, some of these met our requirements, and we secured them on behalf of our members. We have a duty of care to ensure our members are provided access to the best prospects we can get our hands on. Naturally we cannot always secure the horses we want but in this instance we were fortunate and there are four proven racehorses that we believe our members will be racing and having great fun with.”
The immediate future of all new purchases is still to be made public. Previously the CHC members have been rewarded when the club has secured talent from French sales. Aside from the deeds of Ming Zhi Cosmos and Jiayuguan in France, Tropaios produced a memorable last to first finish in the S$1.35 million 2013 Longines Singapore Gold Cup and Tabreed has won a series of races in the United States and placed in graded stakes races as well.
Meanwhile, trainer John Thompson reports that First Seal has come through her heroic display in the G1 Flight Stakes in great order.
First Seal