The perfect champion

“I was absolutely thrilled. After Fairy King Prawn’s landmark win, Japanese racing never looked at Hong Kong horses the same again,” says Chan Siu-kai, who will never forget that historic moment more than 20 years ago. In the summer of 2000, Fairy King Prawn became the first Hong Kong-trained racehorse to win a Group One abroad when he landed the Yasuda Kinen, one of the most prestigious prizes in Japanese racing.

Chan was the Stable Assistant who took care of Fairy King Prawn on that epic trip to Japan. They arrived in Tokyo around two weeks ahead of the race for preparations. Chan says that stables in Japan were more spacious and Fairy King Prawn had to be quarantined alone. “He had to adjust to his new surroundings and was a bit scared at first, so we bought a CD player to play him some relaxing music,” Chan recalls. “After two or three days, he was back to himself again.” On the day of the big race, Fairy King Prawn was not overawed by the occasion. “He was enjoying himself like a king.”

Born in Australia in 1995, Fairy King Prawn was brought to Hong Kong by owner Philip Lau in 1997. In no time the bay gelding was showcasing his extraordinary talent at the highest level. Known for his blistering turn of foot, he became the new star of Hong Kong racing after two major wins in 1999 – the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the Hong Kong Sprint. Competing in Japan, however, was an altogether different proposition.

In those days, few Hong Kong-trained horses raced overseas. Japanese racing was world-class and the fans there did not give Fairy King Prawn much of a chance in the Yasuda Kinen. It was no surprise he was sent off at long odds of 1/38.

“The moment Fairy King Prawn crossed the line, the stands went completely silent. The fans didn’t know how to react,” Chan recalls with excitement. Ever since that breakthrough, more and more Hong Kong horses went to compete in races abroad. “Fairy King Prawn showed that Hong Kong horses can win overseas. Everyone can be more daring and give it a go.”

Fairy King Prawn did not rest on his laurels following his stunning success in Japan. He battled some of the world’s best horses in the Hong Kong Mile and the Dubai Duty Free, and though agonisingly beaten in both races, he had scaled new heights in his career. In 2001, he won the Hong Kong Stewards’ Cup and once again the Chairman’s Sprint Prize. The superstar was named Hong Kong Horse of the Year in both 2000 and 2001 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002/03.

Chan said that Fairy King Prawn’s fighting spirit was what set him apart. He enjoyed every moment of his racing and always gave his best. On and off the track, he was always calm and good tempered. No wonder he was voted Hong Kong Most Popular Horse of the Year for three years straight.