Son Of No Nay Never Captures Hong Kong Derby

Massive Sovereign (4g No Nay Never – Sweet Charity, by Moyboycharlie) provided new connections with a day to remember when winning the prestigious Hong Kong Derby on Sunday.

The son of No Nay Never was named Broadhurst when trained by Aidan O’Brien and made a smart start for Dennis Yip over the Derby distance of ten furlongs earlier this month. Reunited with Zac Purton for the HK$26,000,000 contest, he was held up towards the back of the field and began to make headway from over two furlongs out. Staying on well inside the final furlong, he led close home to beat Group 1 performer Galaxy Patch by a neck, with another half a length back to long-time leader Ka Ying Generation (Churchill) in third. The winning time of 1:59.85 set a new record for the race, with the previous title being held by the top-class Golden Sixty.

“It's very exciting,” former champion trainer Yip said after the race. “I think the Derby for me is more important than the championship, but this one for my life is the big one. He's a very special horse with a very good mind.” On future plans Yip continued, “I've already entered him for the QEII Cup at the end of April. If he's good and he improves, I will go this way. I'm very happy, it's amazing for my life. What a memory.”

Zac Purton shared Yip’s sentiments, saying, “I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have found such a horse to win it. To win the race itself, it’s the most prestigious race in Hong Kong and I’ve had a frustrating run in this race and a frustrating season, so it’s nice to get another big one- and probably the biggest one among the local races overall.”

Massive Sovereign was privately sold to Hong Kong having previously won a Dundalk maiden and the Sovereign Path Premier Handicap during the Irish Champions Festival for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners. Bred by Lynch Bages and Summerhill Bloodstock, the son of No Nay Never was bought by MV Magnier as a yearling for €620,000.