Hong Kong is on the agenda for globetrotting star BRAVE EMPEROR who scooped his most valuable prize so far when winning the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup Invitational in Qatar on 17th February.
His victory in the Group 2 added £224,000 to his win tally for proud owners Middleham Park Racing and took his career earnings to £545,000.
Brave Emperor, ridden by regular partner Luke Morris, took up the running with a furlong and a half to go in the mile feature, repelling the challenge of Aidan O’Brien’s Ryan Moore-ridden Cairo to score by a neck.
Paying tribute to his stable star, Archie says: “I haven’t trained another horse as consistent as Brave Emperor. He turns up and runs his race every time and handles the travelling so well. Luke gave him a top class ride and has such a good connection with the horse.
“He has won in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and now Qatar and his owners at Middleham Park Racing deserve a lot of credit for allowing me to be so selective with the race planning. He flies home this week and we will plan for the Champions’ Mile in Hong Kong on 28th April.
“My team has done a fantastic job with him both at home and in Qatar and it is great to see him winning big races. Huge thanks must go to the IRB, Luck Greayer Bloodstock Shipping, and the QREC for their help with everything on this trip,” he adds.
Morris, who has now ridden the four-year-old son of Sioux Nation to eight of his 10 career victories, says: “He’s a real cool customer. The ultimate professional. The track conditions were a little bit of a question mark as most of his form is on soft ground but he proved that he is equally as good on a firmer surface.”
It was the gelding’s second Group 2 success, supplementing his win in the Premio Vittorio di Capua in Milan in November. That followed three Group 3 wins in 2023 – one at premier French track Deauville and the other two in Germany at Krefeld and Dusseldorf. He also won a Listed race at Cagnes-Sur-Mer last year.
Brave Emperor, who has won 10 of his 16 races, was bought for just £19,000 at Goffs Sales as a yearling as has become a firm favourite at Saxon Gate.
By Simon Mapletoft
