Golden Sixty, one of Hong Kong’s greatest champions, has been retired from racing.
Owner Stanley Chan announced the three-time Horse of the Year’s retirement on Friday 13 September at trainer Francis Lui’s Sha Tin stable.
Chan said: “Golden Sixty has been more than just a racehorse to me and my family; he has been a companion, a friend, and a true champion. Watching him compete has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of his journey – his dedicated team, the fans and, most importantly, Golden Sixty himself for giving us unforgettable moments.”
The outstanding Golden Sixty – pensioned to Japan (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Medaglia d’Oro gelding raced in the familiar white, blue and gold silks of his owner, accumulating world record earnings for a racehorse (HK$167.17 million) by crafting one of the sport’s most remarkable careers in history.
Golden Sixty is known as the ‘Pride of Hong Kong’ – a testament to his standing as the hometown hero of Hong Kong racing throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
An unmatched 26-time winner in Hong Kong, Golden Sixty’s accolades include: Horse of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Most Popular Horse of the Year (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Miler (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Four-Year-Old (2019/20) and Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2020/21).
Lui reflected: “It has been an honour to train such an extraordinary horse. Golden Sixty has brought immense pride to our stable and to Hong Kong racing. His fighting heart is unmatched.
“I will always cherish the memories we created. Thank you, Golden Sixty.”
Jockey Vincent Ho was ever-present across a magical 31-start career, starting in 2019 as an unraced three-year-old before concluding in 2024 as a decorated nine-year-old.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride such an amazing horse. He is not just a phenomenal athlete but also a horse with a big heart. I want to thank him for trusting me on the track and for all the incredible experiences we shared,” Ho said.
“Over the years, I have tried to enjoy every moment when riding him, no matter during races or trackwork. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a Golden Sixty retirement ceremony at the Celebration Cup race meeting on 22 September at Sha Tin. A Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Owner Stanley Chan at the retirement ceremony to recognise Golden Sixty’s accomplishments.
Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Golden Sixty is one of the all-time greats in the history of Hong Kong racing. His exceptional ability to accelerate and dominate against not only the best of Hong Kong but also a string of world-class international contenders makes him a horse of a lifetime.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis and Vincent on their fantastic management of an extraordinary equine athlete. Through their efforts, and Golden Sixty’s sheer talent and will to win, Hong Kong has been privileged to watch this amazing horse throughout a glorious career which has brought immense joy to the city and also to his fans around the world.
Owner Stanley Chan, trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho at Golden Sixty’s retirement announcement (Pic – HKJC)
“Golden Sixty has captured the hearts of Hong Kong people and his last win at the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races created a strong emotional reaction from our racing fans in celebrating their champion. When he accelerated leaving world-class opposition behind, the reception he received was an experience which many people including myself will never forget. He is a real Hong Kong hero.
“While his imperious career has come to an end, we are forever indebted to him and will always cherish his incredible accomplishments.”
Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Golden Sixty bows out not only as a colossus of Hong Kong racing but also as a titan on the international racing stage. His record speaks for itself and his feats will remain forever etched in Hong Kong racing history.
“His performances provided the city with vital inspiration and pride during the COVID-19 pandemic and, from a personal point of view, I cannot recall a more commanding performance than his demolition of a world-class field in the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December – first-up as an eight-year-old.
“As popular as he was across his career, especially in victory, Hong Kong’s deep affection for its equine hero was laid bare last April with the ovation he received after his fourth placing in the FWD Champions Mile. That reception – after rare defeat – illustrated once again how Golden Sixty transcended sport.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis, Vincent and the team on the management of their champion, and I wish Golden Sixty the very best in a richly deserved retirement.”
Golden Sixty swept the 2020 Four-Year-Old Classic Series, comprising the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), as only the second horse to accomplish the feat after Rapper Dragon (2017).
Returning as a five-year-old, Golden Sixty secured four of his record 10 career Group 1 triumphs, which also formed part of a 16-race unbeaten streak – one shy of Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record (17).
Overall, he won the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) three times – in 2020, 2021 and 2023 – joining Good Ba Ba as the race’s only triple winners.
Such was Golden Sixty’s domination of Hong Kong’s mile ranks, he won the Gr1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) twice in 2021 and 2023, as well as the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) three times in succession from 2021-2023 – the only horse to do so.
Best known for his exploits over eight furlongs, Golden Sixty successfully rose to 2000m three times, including a pair of Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) victories in 2021 and 2023, notably denying Romantic Warrior by a head in the most recent of the two.
At the end of 2023, Golden Sixty received a career-high mark of 126 in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, following on from ratings of 124 in 2022, 125 in 2021 and 124 in 2020 – illustrating his remarkable longevity among the elite level of horses in world racing.
Golden Sixty also won five Group 2 races and two Group 3 contests. He will head to Australia initially before retiring permanently at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.
