Empoli Aims to End German Drought

Valentin Bukhtoyarov and Evgeny Kappushev’s G1 Preis Von Europa winner Empoli (Ger) (Halling) will try to become the first German-bred horse since Borgia (Ger) to win an event at the Hong Kong International Races when he enters the stalls in the G1 Hong Kong Vase Dec. 14. 

The Peter Schiergen trainee should be fresh after making only six starts this term in an international campaign spanning fourth countries. Second in his 4-year-old bow in the Dubai Millenium S. at Meydan Feb. 20, the chestnut finished a close-up fourth despite encountering trouble entering the first turn–only 2 1/2 lengths adrift–of Japanese Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic Mar. 29. Not seen again until a fourth behind Cirrus Des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) in Epsom’s G1 Investec Coronation Cup June 7, Empoli checked in sixth in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France later that month and returned with a fifth in Deaville’s G2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville Aug. 31 prior to his Preis Von Europa victory with Adrie de Vries aboard at Cologne last out Sept. 28. 

“This horse is a character, but I knew he was good and he showed it that day,” commented De Vries who also has the call in the Hong Kong Vase. 

The biggest challenge for Empoli may very well be the horse himself, as he has acted up in the gate on several occasions. 

“Empoli has only really shown any problem at the gates in Dubai,” said Schiergen. “We have given him plenty of practice since, and he should be fine.” 

The trainer who was a champion jockey prior to being a champion trainer of the likes of fellow German raider and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) remains confident in his temperamental charge. 

Added Schiergen, “Empoli is not Danedream. However, when he can travel nicely in a race, he can be extremely smart. Of course, I hope he can draw a good gate and get a good start. He acts on any surface and should have no worries with Sha Tin. I have been very happy with his work since that Cologne victory.”