It isn’t typically an Iowa-bred horse surfaces in considered one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious group 1 races however that is precisely the place Chancheng Glory finds himself—the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1).
“I can keep in mind the day he offered as a weanling,” mentioned breeder Allen Poindexter. “I offered three that day, one for $300,000, one for $180,000. He was the most affordable, at $50,000. Nonetheless, not unhealthy—$50,000 for a $5,000 stud payment.”
Chancheng Glory later went on to fetch $110,000 on the 2021 Keeneland November yearling sale and finally was offered privately to a Hong Kong-based syndicate.
“Now he is made one thing like $1.9 million,” Poindexter mentioned with a chuckle. “I hoped he’d make it to the Breeders’ Cup. They have no breeders’ awards for these Hong Kong races.”
Chancheng Glory is by Mor Spirit , out of the Consolidator mare Stable Rip-off . Mor Spirit, by Eskenderea, completed second within the 2016 Santa Anita Derby (G1). The Bob Baffert trainee peaked with a victory in his penultimate begin, the 2017 Metropolitan Mile (G1) at Belmont Park. Stable Rip-off had one win from seven begins whereas racing for Poindexter on the Iowa-Oklahoma circuit.
Chancheng Glory has labored out a pleasant profession in Hong Kong for coach Francis Lui.
He began the 2022-23 season successful a Griffin race—one for horses imported to Hong Kong unraced. That victory put him in higher-class firm and he completed third, third, and eighth to finish the season.
A busy 2023-24 marketing campaign noticed him make 13 begins, working his means up the category ladder into the Hong Kong Derby sequence. Chancheng Glory completed sixth within the first leg of that, the Hong Kong Traditional Mile, then almost precipitated a seismic shock within the second leg, the Hong Kong Traditional Cup, ending second, only a whisker again of the late-running winner, Helios Categorical, at odds of 52-1.
William Buick was recruited to journey Chancheng Glory within the BMW Hong Kong Derby and raced simply behind the chief into mid-stretch. However the bubble burst as Large Sovereign unleashed a livid run to win by a neck over Galaxy Patch with Chancheng Glory sixth, crushed 4 1/2 lengths.
Plugging on into group firm, he completed second, a neck again of Galaxy Patch, within the Lion Rock Trophy (G2), aided by a giant swing within the weights, and wound up the season with six wins.
He began the 2024-25 season with a 3rd within the Sha Tin Trophy (G2), behind Galaxy Patch and Voyage Bubble; one other third within the Sa Sa Women’ Purse (G3), trailing Ensued and La Metropolis Blanche; and a second to Voyage Bubble within the BOCHK Jockey Membership Mile (G2)—the native prep for the group 1 showdown.
Voyage Bubble and Galaxy Patch return for the Dec. 8 warmth they usually all should take care of the likes of Japan’s Soul Rush and Jantar Mantar, France’s Lazzat and Australia’s Antino. All are worldwide group 1 winners.
Chancheng Glory clearly could have his work lower out for him. However nevertheless he runs, he’ll do it with out his breeder within the Sha Tin Racecourse grandstand to cheer him on.
“No, no,” Poindexter mentioned when requested if he’d make the journey. “Name me from Hong Kong and let me understand how he did.”
“I hope he wins,” Poindexter mentioned. “I breed for the gross sales so it would not matter that I do not personal him. I personal the mare. She’s produced another stakes performers, too. I wish to breed her again to Mor Spirit. I hope I get a colt.”