Teo Ah Khing with Australia
Almost eight years to the day that Australia first looked through a bridle under race conditions, a reminder of the gravitas of his growing legacy came in the searing form of his exceptional son Broome. Broome defied his seven rivals to lead throughout in France’s G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, elevating himself as one of Europe’s premier older horses and tallying as Australia’s fourth individual G1 winner.
In all, Australia can lay claim to 18 individual groups or stakes winners. Significantly, 15 have stood tall in 2021, headlined by G1 heroes Mare Australis and Broome. The current excellence highlights the momentum that continues to build for the handsome Coolmore-based sire.
It was impossible to have anticipated such an impact on the breed eight years ago when Australia was first led onto Ireland’s famed Curragh Racecourse. On 30th June 2013, with Joseph O’Brien in the saddle, the chestnut was taking his place in a seven-furlong maiden. The type of introduction that champion trainer Aidan O’Brien warms to for debutant colts he holds in high esteem.
The modest event attracted an immodest audience with several representatives of his weighty ownership group. Included among them was a ‘newbie’ of the sport in Teo Ah Khing. The internationally acclaimed Malaysian master planner had completed the iconic Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse only a few years earlier but his profile had not fully permeated this most traditional of sports. Yet here he was taking his formative steps after accepting an invitation into ownership from none other than John Magnier.
All that was required now was a facile win to launch this new partnership. What followed was perhaps a greater indication of the credentials of a colt who would go on to be crowned Co-World Champion Three-Year-Old in the Longines IFHA World Horse Rankings. Having dropped hearts when missing the start by five lengths, Australia eventually tacked onto the race field and flew up the Curragh straight to only miss victory by a neck. The improbable almost made possible. Australia would go on to become a three-time G1 winner and etch his name onto the honour roll of the most famous of races, The Derby, at Epsom.
2014 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
“I have to be very thankful to John Magnier for becoming involved with Australia,” Teo told the Racing Post at the time.
“I was at the Tattersalls October Sale with John and the Coolmore team had bought a number of yearlings there and at previous sales. John and I had discussed racing together and he singled out two colts, both from Tattersalls. Australia was one of the two, so it was very much on John’s recommendation that I am able to share this ride with him, Michael [Tabor], Derrick [Smith], their families, and the China Horse Club.”
In the near-decade since Teo first laid eyes on Australia, both have carved paths of true significance. Australia’s best progeny have won at the Breeders’ Cup (USA) and consistently featured in European classics. Teo has plundered even greater spoils with 37 G1 wins among a tally of 699 victories. His China Horse Club, first associated with the colt Australia, has been on a rare trajectory one that has ensured he is truly front and centre among thoroughbred racing’s most influential figures.
Those formative experiences with Magnier remain telling. They fanned the flames of passion which already burnt bright for horse racing and set in process a desire to both races the best and breed the best the world over. Breeding elite stock typically takes more time than racing elite stock. A nuance of the sport. And, having bred G1 and G2 winners in the United States, Europe, and Australia as well as a recent Royal Ascot winner, the China Horse Club is now singular in its desire to record exceptional results in Mainland China.
Vinson Massif
Throughout the achievements and accolades earned in more established centres, the focus on China has never shifted. The satisfaction resulting from a recent win by debuting juvenile Jian Le cannot be understated. The colt is the first runner and first winner for the club’s resident China-based stallion Vinson Massif who was among a draft of runners imported to China in 2013. The well-bred son of champion stallion Giant’s Causeway was a two-year-old winner in Ireland for Magnier and partners before transitioning to China during his three-year-old career where he emerged as one of China’s premier sprinters.
Vinson Massif’s son, Jian Le (Saddlecloth no 3)
The emergence of Vinson Massif’s son, Jian Le, is timely coming on the eve of the traditional season of private horse sales in China. Jian Le is the product of a mating between two former Magnier-owned runners and showed he was a class above when racing away with a 1000m two-year-old race at Yulong Jockey Club. The manner of his performance casts a light on his breeder, Yitai Desert Star Horse Industries (YTDS), a partnership that includes China Horse Club. This July, YTDS is selling a select draft of notable unraced two and three-year-olds by the above-mentioned Vinson Massif, China’s Triple Crown hero North Dakota (a son of Galileo) and boom U.S. sire Daredevil who sired a G1 Kentucky Oaks winner and G1 Preakness Stakes winner among his first crop of runners.
“It is a very unique collection of horses that is being offered,” said Ann Wang, China Horse Club’s representative in China.
“To have four two-year-olds by a stallion like Daredevil is very special indeed. He is a very commercial sire in Kentucky and has proven himself immediate as a stallion that can sire elite performers.
“China Horse Club intentionally bred a selection of mares to Daredevil to import to China back in …. And the vision of that decision can be recognized now. Owners in China will be the beneficiary of such a decision and, in time, we hope the industry at large can benefit from long-term decision making like this.”
North Dakota x Sounding Sand
Vinson Massif x Heed the Flag
The quartet of Daredevil juveniles won’t be the only stock in demand with both Vinson Massif and North Dakota among the best of their generations on the racetrack in China. The former was an elite sprinter. The latter was anointed China’s best son of the world’s greatest living stallion Galileo when completing a historic ‘Triple Crown’ in the 2014 CEA National Tour Final, 2015 G2 CHIA Xilinhaote Cup, and the 10th National Traditional Games for Ethnic Minorities (2015).
North Dakota
“Both Vinson Massif and North Dakota were proven as racehorses in China over different distances over several racing seasons. They stood up to the rigours of racing in China and they have covered some very well-bred mares that have been imported from Ireland, Britain, and Australia,” Ms. Wang added.
“Going by the emergence of Jian Le, there is every reason to believe their stock and the breeding programme of YTDS will make a big impact in China. Right now, the opportunity is there for people to buy some of our best graduates before there is a real premium of them.”
A journey that began with the humbling defeat of Australia eight years ago has gone on to ignite the international thoroughbred industry. Its latest recipient to these benefits is China and its emerging breeding industry. Having impacted long-established industries, there is understandable anticipation as to the positive impact these key players will have in the emerging China.
If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please email your inquiry to horses@chinahorseclub.com.