Second in this race last year, Red Lion scored an upset victory in the HK$24 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday by a gripping short head over Voyage Bubble, for jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer John Size.
Breaking from gate 12 as an 89/1 outsider, Red Lion became the longest-priced winner in the race’s history as the six-year-old Belardo gelding tenaciously made all in 1m 33.21s, eventually holding success after an inquiry and several nervous moments as Stewards deliberated following a brush of contact between Red Lion and Voyage Bubble in the closing stages.
Hugh Bowman drives Red Lion ahead of Voyage Bubble (James McDonald) with Luke Ferraris and My Wish right there in fourth (Pic – HKJC)
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s former Chairman Ronald Arculli and his wife Johanna own Red Lion. A long-term passionate owner, Arculli also raced globetrotter Red Cadeaux and legend River Verdon – the only winner of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown in 1993/94.
Red Lion lifts his earnings to HK$34.81 million with his sixth career win at his 29th start, giving Size a fifth race victory following Electronic Unicorn (2003), Sight Winner (2009), Contentment (2017) and Beauty Eternal (2024).
“He ran second in the race last year. Congratulations to John and the ownership group because he’s such a consistent horse and he’s a worthy Group 1 winner, but I’m a bit lost for words to be honest,” Bowman said.
Red Lion crossed early for the lead with Bowman to overcome his draw as Voyage Bubble sat to his outside. The pair broke clear of rivals in the straight and were an evenly matched neck-and-neck as Sunlight Power grabbed third with My Wish a battling fourth.
“It’s fantastic. He’s a very consistent, courageous horse. Having had the opportunity to ride him a few times, I had the confidence in him,” Bowman said.
“I didn’t really expect to lead but full credit to John and his team because they’ve turned him out in fantastic order and with a little bit of moisture in the ground, it certainly assisted his chances and I’m just so proud of him.”
Size said: “He’s been so consistent over the period he’s been racing. He always does his best and always puts himself in a position to win. Today, like all winners, you need plenty in your favour to win a race. Maybe a bit of moisture around helped him and the fact he could lead by himself. All those things contributed to him winning.”
Before this afternoon, Red Lion had proven consistent at the top-level placing three times in Group 1 races – including twice over a mile.
“I think the horse’s mind for racing and what is going on inside his brain is so important. Today he showed the determination of a real racehorse – he looked like he thought he could win the race and he decided he would.
“He just kept going and kept fighting – under the circumstances, it’s very hard to beat a horse in that frame of mind,” Size said.
“The owners are one of the groups of people in Hong Kong who buy and race lots of horses in this jurisdiction. Anyone who does that deserves some success and they’ve had a lot of good luck on the racetrack.”
Of the Ricky Yiu-trained Voyage Bubble, jockey James McDonald, said: “He was super. I was really proud of his effort.”
Christophe Soumillon was pleased with Sunlight Power’s third-placed effort: “He ran a great race. Unfortunately, it was a little too far for him to win it, but he put in a great effort and I think he’s going to be a good horse.”
Galaxy Patch (fifth), Happy Together (sixth), Beauty Joy (seventh), Chancheng Glory (eighth), Gaia Force (ninth), Beauty Eternal (10th), Goemon (11th), Royal Patronage (12th) and Mr Brightside (13th) rounded out the finishing order.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday 30 April.
