Stoute On Hand to Oversee Snow Sky

No 3-year-old male has ever proved best in the G1 Hong Kong Vase, but Juddmonte Farms’ Snow Sky (GB) (Nayef) will have a chance to rewrite that bit of history tomorrow afternoon. 

Sir Michael Stoute made his first appearance at trackwork Friday morning to observe the homebred 3-year-old, whose dam, the French stakes-placed Winter Silence (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is a half-sister to Polish Summer (GB) (Polish Precedent), second in the 2003 Vase to Vallee Enchantee (Fr), one of two sophomore fillies to win the Vase. Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk) also won as a 3-year-old filly in 2009. 

Snow Sky worked over 800 meters of the turf course Friday beneath Ryan Moore, who later accepted the award as the Longines World’s Best Jockey. 

“The colt seems relaxed, having travelled smoothly to Hong Kong. We’re happy,” said Stoute, who prepared 2000 Vase winner Daliapour (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), following the colt’s schooling session in the parade ring. “He is a nice relaxed horse with a lovely temperament who stays well and has a finishing kick.” 

Snow Sky was mooted by many to be a leading chance for this year’s G1 Epsom Derby following a smooth two-length victory in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial May 10, but a minor injury caused him to miss the event. He has since turned in some cracking performances, including a narrow tally in the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood, a runner-up effort in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. and an excellent third to Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the G1 St Leger S. Sept. 11.