Werther Named Hong Kong Horse of the Year

Johnson Chen's Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who joined an elite group of horses to win the prestigious BWM Hong Kong Derby and G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in the same season, was named Hong Kong Horse of the Year at ceremonies held Friday evening at the Grand Hyatt.

Trained by John Moore, the 4-year-old annexed his debut on the International Races undercard in December before finishing runner-up to future champion miler Sun Jewellery (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) in his next two starts. The step up to the metric mile and a quarter was always expected to suit, as he validated 2-1 favoritism in the Derby (video) before blowing away a star-studded group of internationals in the QE II, scoring by 4 1/2 lengths over a rain-affected turf (video). That effort earned him a ranking of 124, equal fourth on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Most recently a close third to champion stayer Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G1 Champions and Chater Cup (video), Werther was also named champion middle-distance horse and the most popular horse as voted by the fans, with 39.3% of the vote.

“This is awesome. I can't believe it,” said Chen. “I have to say I'm very fortunate. I'm very humbled and most privileged to be receiving this. Special thanks to trainer John Moore for his spearheading the team and engaging Hugh Bowman who rode beautifully for the BMW Hong Kong Derby and Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.”

From the first crop of his highly successful, Cambridge Stud-based stallion, Werther was bred by C D Allison, C V & J A Barnao, A R Campbell, T G Heptinstall, T M Pivac and D R Platt from the Zabeel (NZ) mare Bagalollies (Aus).

Courtesy of his victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint last December (video), Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) outpointed the likes of Sprint runner-up Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) and Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) to be named champion sprinter. Placed in six of his eight starts during the season, the 5-year-old was third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint and closed the campaign with a smooth success in the Sha Tin Vase H.

Other winners on the evening were: Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who was named the champion griffin; and Fabulous One (NZ) (Elusive City), named the most improved horse in Hong Kong over the course of the season on ratings.