Russian Emperor will forever be remembered for his courage, ability and some of the finest moments in Hong Kong racing history, namely, two unforgettable upset victories over Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior – the city’s dominant forces of recent times.
Sired by Galileo and out of superstar mare Atlantic Jewel, the recently retired Russian Emperor began his career in Ireland before shipping to Hong Kong to join Douglas Whyte’s team, where he quickly emerged as his stable star.
Lauded as a horse with a big heart, Russian Emperor steps away as a two-time Hong Kong Champion Stayer (2021/22 & 2022/23) with earnings of HK$48.78 million from four wins.
“He had the temperament and a whole presence in the stable, his nature, too. Those good horses, they stamp themselves and he knew when it was gallop day and race day, especially race day – he pumped himself up to get a saddle and bridle on him to take him to the track, he knew it was game on,” Whyte said.
“It was lovely to work with an individual like that because you can relate to that as a human being – I was like that and I am still like that, you sort of tense up and it’s an excited energy. He was like that, then after the race he was just the kindest animal to be on and be around.
“We all knew when there was a drop of rain around that he had that real fight and that will to win. He used to enjoy chasing and coming from off them, he had a good turn of foot for a big horse like him.”