Golden Sixty is the 26th Gr1 winner for Medaglia d’Oro winning the HK International Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.
Golden Sixty started a hot favourite to extend his winning sequence and with regular jockey Vincent Ho content to race three wide and towards the rear until the final turn, sprinted quickly early in the home straight to dash clear and win easing down by two-lengths over a gallant Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt).
The Francis Lui-trained five-year-old won last season’s four-year-old Classic Series and is now the winner of 14 of his 15 starts – the last 11 in succession – after being sold first as a yearling in Australia and then as a two-year-old in training in New Zealand.
A half-brother to Tasmanian Derby-placed Igitur (Helmet), he is one of five winners left by Gr2 Debutante Stakes at Leopardstown winner Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor).
Gaudeamus sold carrying Golden Sixty at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Josh Hutchins of Element Hill for $160,000.
The granddam Leo’s Lucky Lady (Seattle Slew) won twice in the USA and was Listed placed in the Egret Stakes at Meadowlands. She is a half-sister to four stakes winners in Keos, Proskona, Korveya and Carnet Solitaire.
Keos (Riverman) won four times at Group level including the Gr2 Goldene Peitsche but it is the fillies Proskona, Korveya and Carnet Solitaire that excelled at stud.
Proskona (Mr Prospector) won the Gr2 Premio Umbra and was named Champion 3yo Filly in Italy in At stud she left the Canadian Gr2 winner Calista (Caerleon) and is the granddam of French Gr1 winner Ultra (Manduro) and Japanese stakes winner Ibuki Perceive (Caerleon) and third dam of Gr1 Prix Lupin and Criterium International winner Act One (In The Wings).
Korveya (Riverman) won the Gr3 Prix Chloe and left three classic winners in Bosra Sham (Woodman), Hector Protector (Woodman) and Shanghai (Riverman).
Carnet Solaire did not match the feats of her half-sisters but is the granddam of US Gr1 turf winner Red Giant (Giant’s Causeway).
Golden Sixty is from the sixth southern hemisphere crop for Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado) and bred on the same Distorted Humor (Forty Niner) cross as Gr 1 winners New Money Honey and Elate.
Medaglia d’Oro also has Gr2 winners Lady Montdore, Funny Proposition and Mrs McDougal out of mares by Distorted Humor
Medaglia d’Oro has enjoyed good success with sons of Forty Niner (Mr Prospector) with Gr1 winners Rachel Alexandra (out of a Roar mare) and Songbird (out of a West Acre mare).
Medaglia d’Oro also has Gr1 winners Talismanic (Machiavellian), Violence (Gone West), Warrior’s Reward (Seeking The Gold), Bar Of Gold (Lemon Drop Kid), Cambier Parc (Point Given), Lochte (Lemon Drop Kid) and Mshawish (Thunder Gulch) from Mr Prospector-line mares.
Worth noting that two of Medaglia d’Oro’s Gr1 winners as a broodmare sire – Competitionofideas and Rock Fall are both by Speightstown (Gone West).
Medaglia d’Oro is now a permanent resident for Darley in Kentucky where his fee in 2021 is advertised at $150,000.