Former Impressive Racing galloper Beauty Joy notched his fourth black-type victory in Hong Kong on Sunday with a late surge to land the G3 Premier Plate (1800m) at Sha Tin.
Beauty Joy (8g Sebring – Impressive Jeuney by Jeune) came from the rear of the field to collar front-runner Pray For Mir (Justify) before finding again to defeat this year’s Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat (Snitzel). Photo / HKJC
It also guarantees he will continue racing for a sixth Hong Kong season in 2025-26 for trainer Tony Cruz with owners Simon and Eleanor Kwok. He has earned the equivalent of AUD6.98 million since being sold by Impressive Racing’s Darren McAuliffe and Kevin Berry for AUD1.40 million in June 2020.
“As long as he’s healthy, we will keep going,” Cruz said. “He had some small issues when he first arrived and needed time to acclimatise.” Jockey Brenton Avdulla had won the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on the WA-bred all-rounder last year and admitted he wasn’t confident until the home turn.
“We seem to get on very well but he’s such a quirky horse and can be a very difficult ride. The pace steadied on the corner and he got hold of the bridle and clicked into gear. He had to come off the Derby winner’s back and did it in good style.”
Beauty Joy raced as Talladega in Perth where he was bred, part-owned and trained by McAuliffe. He was unbeaten in four starts culminating with a Listed victory in the J C Roberts Quality (1800m) at Ascot in 2020 before transferring off-shore.
Impressive Racing had purchased his dam Impressive Jeuney as a foal for $27,000 from Newhaven Park at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. She paid that back and more winning the G3 WA Oaks, LR Natasha Stakes, LR La Trice Classic and LR WA St Leger.
Impressive Jeuney is now owned by Geisel Park principal Eddie Rigg and her latest foal is a colt from the first-crop of LR MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) winner Aysar (Deep Field). He is standing for an $8,800 (inc GST) fee this year and stud manager Conor Dunlop can be contacted for bookings or further details on 0447 434 735.
