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George Boughey has swiftly emerged as one of the most ambitious trainers globally, and now the Briton sets his sights on making history with Believing in the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin.
In his sixth domestic season, Boughey has already claimed a British Classic victory with Cachet's Gr.1 1,000 Guineas triumph in 2022, establishing himself as a prominent figure in Europe and the Middle East.
Last year, Al Dasim helped him to win his maiden Dubai Carnival success by winning Al Wasl Stakes by three lengths.
On 28th April, he aims to secure a groundbreaking first win in Hong Kong, aspiring to become the first international champion of the prestigious sprint race.
“It has never been done and it might never be done, but I’m really interested to give it a go,” the trainer, 32, said. “I’m not underestimating the task we’re setting ourselves but I’m looking forward to it. It’s the most prize money I think we’ve run for and that’s key.
“I think it’s almost the pinnacle of racing to travel horses. It’s something I’ve set out to do and the racing is almost perfect in Hong Kong. It’s always fascinated me. They’ve been fantastic in inviting us and we’re looking forward to it.”
Boughey's entry, Believing, is a captivating contender, having come incredibly close to winning the Gr.1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, missing out by just three quarters of a length.
“Statistically, two or three of her best efforts have come around a bend on fast ground and there’s not many chances to do that in England. Watching her train on fast ground and looking at her action, she hardly picks her feet up, so I think she’s best suited to fast ground,” he said.
At just 4YO, Believing is still a young horse, and George Boughey is optimistic about her potential at the highest level this year. He has already planned for her to compete at Royal Ascot and the Breeders' Cup, believing that she is currently in her prime both physically and mentally. There are no anticipated problems as she is scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on 19th April.
“She had her quirks earlier in her career,” he said. “She used to kick the horsebox the whole way to the races and now she stands as quiet as a lamb. She’s maturing and she’s much better in the gates than she used to be. All the signs are right that she should be able to handle the journey and the event. This year she looks like a different filly, she’s got a full summer coat and she’s glowing.”
Many are drawing comparisons between Believing and Boughey's previous stable star, Cachet, who also ran in the distinctive pale blue silks of Highclere Racing. With such similarities, there is a high expectation that the owners' latest promising talent can secure a victory of equal magnitude.
“She lives in Cachet’s box and she has a very similar attitude,” the trainer said. “She’s got a low head carriage, wants fast ground and is fast. They were both bought from the same sale and run for Highclere. She’s got to go and do it but all the suggestions are that she may well have improved again.”
Despite the absence of reigning champion Lucky Sweynesse, Believing will still contend with four Group One winners in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. Among them are California Spangle, winner of the Al Quoz Sprint, who seeks a triumphant return to his home city, facing off against Japan’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen victor, Mad Cool, along with January’s Centenary Sprint Cup hero Victor The Winner and the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Little Brose, who will be making his Hong Kong debut.
Nonetheless, Boughey is eager to seize the lucrative opportunity, believing that the race's anticipated setup will favor the strengths of his strong-staying filly.
Assessing the opposition, he said, “California Spangle has been a miler and they’ll be looking to make plenty of use of him, and the stronger the pace for us the better.
“There’s a couple of Japanese horses in there and Victor The Winner, who was third in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen the other day. It’s a Group One and we’ve got to give it the respect but I wouldn’t be sending her if I didn’t think she had a legitimate chance.”