04 December, 2008
Japanese-bred El Dorado(JPN) (Stay Gold(JPN) - White Leap(JPN) (by White Muzzle(GB)) won the S$1.35million Singapore Gold Cup (Sin-G1) over 2,200m at Kranji Racecourse on November 30th. El Dorado(JPN) now has won 6 of 20 starts with total earnings of S$1,135,327.
The 4-year-old El Dorado(JPN) beat a quality field including the '08 Emirates Singapore Derby (Sin-G1) winner Top Spin(AUS) and '08 Raffles Cup (Sin-G1) winner Chevron(IRE) to win the prestigious race by a head.
Bred by Takano Bokujo (Farm) in Hokkaido, El Dorado(JPN) was purchased by current owner Mr. Masatsugu Otani (Big Valley Stable) at the 2006 Hidaka Training Sale for 5,000,000yen (excluding tax) and is trained by Mr. Hideyuki Takaoka, one of two Japanese trainers presently based in Singapore.
Mr. Otani, a Singapore-based businessman, commented that he is very happy and honored by what is his first Group win in Singapore, especially since he had the Gold Cup in mind when he purchased the horse. Mr. Takaoka was also delighted with the win, commenting that it was a dream come true and he knew El Dorado(JPN) had the pedigree to handle the distance but that he also knew the horse was up against a class field.
El Dorado's sire, Stay Gold(JPN) (by Sunday Silence(USA)) won the Hong Kong Vase (G1) and Dubai Sheema Classic (G2) in 2001, and has been popular as a stallion son of Sunday Silence(USA) since entering stud in 2002, covering 177 mares in his fist year. His top progeny include 2006 Asahi Hai Futurity S.(JPN-G1) winner Dream Journey(JPN) and 2008 Niigata Kinen (G3) winner Arco Senora(JPN).
(Photo by Singapore Turf Club)