Bullish Luck retires

Bullish Luck paraded before the multitudes at Sha Tin during his retirement party (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)

On the occasion of his 10th official birthday, BULLISH LUCK (Royal Academy)

took one final turn of the Sha Tin paddock before entering retirement as the

second all-time money earner in Hong Kong history.

"Bullish Luck was one of the most competitive horses ever," Bill Nader,

executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, told South China

Morning Post. "To compete favorably against top class horses at his advanced

age was absolutely remarkable. I'd like to congratulate trainer Tony Cruz and

owner Wong Wing Keung for a horse that produced some of the greatest memories in

Hong Kong history."

Bred in Kentucky by Max and Isabel Morris, the bay was unsold as a Keeneland

November weanling in 1999, then was a 50,000 guineas yearling at the 2000

Tattersalls October sale. He made eight starts in Europe racing as Al Moughazel

for a pair of wins and two additional placings before his export to Hong Kong,

where he gained a reputation as an outstanding middle-distance horse with a

lethal finishing kick.

One of Bullish Luck's many fans paid tribute to the equine star (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)

He made one start during his career over a dirt track and ran with credit in

the 2007 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), staying on to be third behind Horse of the

Year Invasor (Arg).

Bullish Luck made four starts in the Hong Kong International Races, finishing

an unlucky second by a nose to Alexander Goldrun in the 2004 Hong Kong Cup

(HK-G1) as well as fourth in the 2005 and 2006 runnings of the Hong Kong Mile

(HK-G1). He capped his career with a battling fifth, beaten just over four

lengths by Eagle Mountain (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), in the Hong Kong Cup

on December 14.

Trained throughout his Hong Kong career by Cruz, Bullish Luck retires with a

record of 62-12-7-8 and earnings of $7,851,461.