The Dragon retires
- Bob Brogan
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The Dragon retires
10 years 2 months ago
Hong Kong: Two-time horse of the year Ambitious Dragon has been retired, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Thursday.
Trained by Tony Millard, the New Zealand-bred Ambitious Dragon was a potent force at a variety of trips, with 13 victories from 30 career starts, including the Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in 2011, and the Longines Hong Kong Mile a year later.
He also bagged several local Group 1 events at Sha Tin, including the Hong Kong Derby, also in 2011.
Paying tribute, Millard said: "In my opinion, he is as good as you get, and why I say that is because he was so versatile. I have yet to see a horse, in my time here in Hong Kong, win Group 1 races at 1,400m, 1,600m, 1,800m and 2,000m. I haven't seen another horse do that in the 16 years I've been here.
"He was unique. We just had to look after him carefully because he was very fragile, like many good horses are. We were very sparing in the way we raced him. The last time I had one as good as him was more than 20 years ago, in that same league, with that kind of versatility. It took me 20 years to find another one, so we really looked after him.
"He was also special because he was a quiet, laid-back horse. He was basically a gentle giant. I was humbled that he did come my way and that we managed to develop him, because you don't often get the chance as a trainer to be able to do that."
Douglas Whyte was one of the seven jockeys to ride Ambitious Dragon during his career, and added: "He was one of the best horses I've ridden here in Hong Kong. Still, to this day, he gave me the most unbelievable feeling of any horse I've ever ridden - his turn-of-foot was incredible. He was a champion, he was dour and he was as honest as the day is long."
Ambitious Dragon signed off with a solid fifth behind Able Friend in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup last month, and he will be recognised with a retirement ceremony on QEII Cup day at Sha Tin on April 26.
pics and articles from the racingpost.com
Trained by Tony Millard, the New Zealand-bred Ambitious Dragon was a potent force at a variety of trips, with 13 victories from 30 career starts, including the Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in 2011, and the Longines Hong Kong Mile a year later.
He also bagged several local Group 1 events at Sha Tin, including the Hong Kong Derby, also in 2011.
Paying tribute, Millard said: "In my opinion, he is as good as you get, and why I say that is because he was so versatile. I have yet to see a horse, in my time here in Hong Kong, win Group 1 races at 1,400m, 1,600m, 1,800m and 2,000m. I haven't seen another horse do that in the 16 years I've been here.
"He was unique. We just had to look after him carefully because he was very fragile, like many good horses are. We were very sparing in the way we raced him. The last time I had one as good as him was more than 20 years ago, in that same league, with that kind of versatility. It took me 20 years to find another one, so we really looked after him.
"He was also special because he was a quiet, laid-back horse. He was basically a gentle giant. I was humbled that he did come my way and that we managed to develop him, because you don't often get the chance as a trainer to be able to do that."
Douglas Whyte was one of the seven jockeys to ride Ambitious Dragon during his career, and added: "He was one of the best horses I've ridden here in Hong Kong. Still, to this day, he gave me the most unbelievable feeling of any horse I've ever ridden - his turn-of-foot was incredible. He was a champion, he was dour and he was as honest as the day is long."
Ambitious Dragon signed off with a solid fifth behind Able Friend in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup last month, and he will be recognised with a retirement ceremony on QEII Cup day at Sha Tin on April 26.
pics and articles from the racingpost.com
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