Global Weekly Review: Generosity shown to groom who lost everything in US fires

Hong Kong dominated this week with its annual International Races meeting at Sha Tin, a glittering fixture that brought down the curtain on the 2017 season with some outstanding performances.

But as good as that action on the track proved to be, the most gripping story globally was the death of 46 racehorses, who perished as a result of terrifying fires that swept through stables and barns in San Luis Rey, California.

With the latest Breeders' Cup having been staged at nearby Del Mar only five weeks earlier, the plight of the horsemen and animals caught up in the tragedy was never far from the minds of their colleagues and counterparts in Hong Kong.

One groom, Jose Gonzales, who had accompanied the Sprint contender Stormy Liberal to Hong Kong, lost everything in the fires. His living quarters and all his belongings were destroyed.

When news of his loss circulated in the quarantine stabling block at Sha Tin, immediate action was taken.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club came forward with a cheque for US$10,000, and a collection was also taken up by visiting stable staff, who generously matched that amount.

"It shows how the global racing community stands together when there is a need," Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's chief executive said.

Stormy Liberal did little in his race, with jockey Silvestre de Sousa reporting the gelding may have been feeling the effects of the long journey from America.

The winner of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, Mr Stunning, a son of Darley stallion Exceed And Excel, certainly lived up to his name as he travelled well throughout and fought tenaciously to hold on for a noteworthy win.

Saddled by John Size, he was the first of three locally-trained winners of the four international features. The others were Beauty Generation (John Moore) and Time Warp (Tony Cruz), who landed the G1 Mile and G1 Cup, respectively.

Time Warp looked quite exceptional as he quickened away from his rivals, having made all the running.

The remaining international race went to Ireland, courtesy of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Highland Reel, who further enhanced his status as Europe's all-time highest prizemoney earner by adding the G1 Vase to his record on his last racetrack appearance.

Godolphin's Talismanic finished a solid second after having every chance and seems just the type who could mature and develop even further at five.