Red Cadeaux Nearing Record Earnings Plateau

Red Cadeaux, a globe-trotting favorite among racing fans, is as "fit as a flea", according traveling companion Robin Trevor-Jones, as he prepares for the HK$20 million Audemars Piguet QEII Cup  (HK-I) April 26  at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

 

The 9-year-old  Cadeaux Genereux gelding is tantalizingly close to reaching the £5 million earnings mark (approximately US$7,440,601 by Monday's conversion rate), an unprecedented sum for a British-trained racehorse, according to a release from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. A finish in the first six in Sunday's race would see him reach that plateau. 

 

Red Cadeaux, owned by Ronald Arculli, will be competing for the 51st time on Sunday in a remarkable career which began in April 2009 and has seen him perform in eight countries. 

 

Interestingly, he's been known more for his close non-winning efforts than in victory with runner-up finishes in three Melbourne Cups (Aus-I); a Dubai World Cup (UAE-I); a Coronation Cup (Eng-I) and, most recently, when he beat all but Sunday's rival Criterion in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Aus-I) at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

 

With career earnings of £4,991,952, Red Cadeaux is the highest earning British-trained racehorse, a title previouly held by Luca Cumani-trained Presvis (£4,318,943), winner of 2009 QEII Cup.

 

"He just takes it all in his stride," said Trevor-Jones. "Sure he has some management issues and that's why we avoid working or racing him on ground which is too firm... he's not 100% straightforward but no horse would be after 50-odd races over 70-odd miles.

 

"He's in great order and he still wants to be a racehorse. He'll tell us when he's had enough, but right now he hasn't. Right now, you'd hope he'll run another great race on Sunday."

 

London-based bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson bought Red Cadeaux as a yearling for 55,000 guineas ($117,331) on Arculli's behalf at 2007 Tattersalls October yearling sale.