Paying tribute to the never-go-down superhorse in my heart through my art

Rapper Dragon

(2012-2017)

Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, 2016-17

The first horse to win all three legs of Hong Kong’s 4-year-old classic series.

Rapper Dragon claimed the Hong Kong Horse of the Year award at a ceremony held on July 14 2017 at the Grand Hyatt. Hong Kong’s standout 4-year-old made history during the season when he became the first horse to win all three legs of Hong Kong’s 4-year-old classic series.

Rapper Dragon claimed the Hong Kong Horse of the Year award at a ceremony held July 14 2017 at the Grand Hyatt. Hong Kong’s standout 4-year-old made history during the season when he became the first horse to win all three legs of Hong Kong’s 4-year-old classic series.

John Moore’s stable star had an outstanding sophomore Hong Kong campaign with four wins from six starts before suffering a catastrophic injury in the G1 Champions Mile. The gelding, who raced in the blue and red silks of owner Albert Hung, improved sharply after a smart seasonal appearance at December’s Longines Hong Kong International Race meeting, displaying superiority over his peers in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup, and then completing a sweep of Hong Kong’s three-race 4-year-old classic series in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

John Moore-trained Rapper Dragon (No. 1), ridden by Joao Moreira winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse on 19 March 2017. Rapper Dragon became the first horse to record a Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean sweep.

Rapper Dragon was also named the Champion middle-distance horse, based on his brilliant performances in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and the BMW Hong Kong Derby. The ascendant chestnut then impressed again when taking on a group of proven elders in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy to land his second group race win in his career, having won the G3 Lion Rock Trophy as a 3-year-old during his first season in Hong Kong.

After winning the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 22 January 2017, Rapper Dragon won the second leg, Hong Kong Classic Cup at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Meanwhile, Rapper Dragon also secured 57.5% of the public vote to claim the most popular horse title.

Joao Moreira rode Rapper Dragon in his greatest victories but maintains it was in the fallen hero’s final moments on a racecourse that his beloved horse showed the most courage.

Rapper Dragon died while under veterinary supervision, diagnosed with a fractured pelvis suffered in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin in 2017, and while Moreira was too devastated to speak immediately after receiving the news.

Rapper Dragon put the historic cap on a series that started with wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile in January on 22 January 2017.