Breeding & Racing Magazine

Joy And Fun Wins Hong Kong Gr1 Chairman's Sprint

In Hong Kong yesterday, NZ Westbury Stud's ill-fated Australian-bred stallion Cullen (Danehill-Princess Tracy, by Ahonoora) added a Gr1 triumph when 8YO gelding Joy And Fun (Cullen-Gin Player, by Defensive Play) scored a 0.75-length victory in the HK$4.5 million (A$563,000) weight-for-age Gr1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. Joy And Fun (ridden by Brett Doyle for trainer Derek Cruz) defeated 5YO gelding Lucky Nine (Dubawi-Birjand, by Green Desert) & 9YO gelding Sunny King (Desert Sun-Princess Mood, by Muhtarram). Joy And Fun (a NZ$15,000 weanling at the 2004 NZ Bloodstock National Sale) took his record to 12 wins (also including 2010's UAE Gr3 Al Quoz Sprint over 1200m on turf at Meydan, plus 2009's Gr3 Premier Cup over 1400m at Sha Tin & Gr3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup over 1400m at Sha Tin) & 9 placings (also including last month's Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup over 1000m at Sha Tin, plus 2011's Gr1 International Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin, as well as 2009's Gr1 Hong Kong International Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin & Gr2 HK International Sprint Trial over 1200m at Sha Tin, in addition to 2008's Gr3 Sha Tin Trophy over 1600m) from 52 starts for HK$22,076,362 (A$2.76m) earnings.