Record breaker Golden Sixty retired
Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro), the world’s highest-earning racehorse, has been retired from racing, it was announced on Friday.
The ten-time Group 1 winner, who amassed a staggering HK$167,170,600 (approx. AU$31.924 million) in prize-money in a 31-start career, had been absent since finishing fourth in the HKJC Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) in April having suffered from minor leg issues over the course of this year.
Owner Stanley Chan announced the three-time Horse of the Year’s retirement 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 gelding raced in the familiar white, blue and gold silks of his owner, accumulating world record earnings by crafting one of the sport’s most remarkable careers in history.
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).
His haul of big-race wins included three Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) triumphs, three victories in the Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and a pair of wins in both the Stewards’ Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) and one Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) win. He also won five Group 2 races and two Group 3 contests, as well as completing the clean sweep of the prestigious Four-Year-Old Classic Series in 2020.
🗣️ “THE SUPERSTARRRR!”
Golden Sixty’s final win… perhaps his best ever, dismantling a quality 2023 G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile field at Sha Tin first-up as an 8YO! 🚀@Vincenthocy | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/x1imYhD9Dh
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 13, 2024
Lui said: “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 the highly decorated gelding’s career, starting in 2019 as an unraced three-year-old before concluding in 2024 at the age of nine.
“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.”
Bred in Australia by Asco International, Golden Sixty was bought by Riversley Park and Enigma Farm for $120,000 from the Element Hill draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2017, before fetching NZ$300,000 when selling to his trainer at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale later that year.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a retirement ceremony at the Celebration Cup race meeting on September 22 at Sha Tin. A Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Chan at the ceremony to recognise Golden Sixty’s accomplishments.
The record breaker will head to Australia initially before retiring permanently at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.
Carrots for the KING! 🥕
Don’t worry Golden Sixty there’ll be plenty of eating time in retirement… 😏 @Vincenthocy | #HKracing | #競馬 pic.twitter.com/UIN29M8clf
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 13, 2024