Derby Hero Makes Winning Return in Celebration Cup

Hong Kong Derby-winning NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Invincible Ibis (Hellbent) began his new season on a perfect note in Sunday’s HK$4.2m Group Three Celebration Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin. 

Invincible Ibis was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale, where trainer Mark Newnham bought him for $425,000. From a 12-start career, he has now won six races and placed in another four, earning more than HK$26m (NZ$5.85m).

Invincible Ibis won five races last season headed by the Hong Kong Derby (2000m), and he also finished a close fourth in the Group One Champions Mile (1600m). He was named Hong Kong’s Champion Four-Year-Old of the 2025-26 season.

Sunday’s Celebration Cup was the gelding’s first appearance as a five-year-old, and he picked up where he had left off at the end of last season’s breakthrough campaign.

Ridden by Luke Ferraris, Invincible Ibis took up a midfield position in sixth along the rail until the home turn. Ferraris then switched across heels and angled Invincible Ibis into clear air five off the fence, and the quality galloper began to steadily move through his gears.

Invincible Ibis was still only fifth with less then 300 metres remaining, but then he really stretched out and strode to the lead passing the 100-metre mark.

Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) flew home in the final stages of the race to provide a late scare, but Invincible Ibis kept fighting and held on by a neck. The time was a slick 1:20.84.

“A great way to start his new season, and truthfully, a little unexpected,” Newnham said. “Running over 1400 metres today, and carrying a little more condition, with bigger goals ahead, I would have been satisfied with a good third or fourth. But for him to win like that, I’m pretty happy.

“Luke said he was probably on empty that last 50 metres, but we know he’s very tenacious.

“The plan is for him to race in October and November in the traditional lead-ups to the Hong Kong International Races in December, where I’ll put in an entry for the Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Cup (2000m). I’ll let the horse tell us which race he’s best placed in at this stage of his career.”

For Ferraris, it was a winning reunion with a horse he had ridden to three placings in the first three starts of his career in May, June and September of last year.

“I rode him when he first started racing, and comparing that horse to what he’s furnished into now, it’s night and day,” Ferraris said. “Credit to Mark and his team for getting the horse to where he is. That was a great start to his campaign.”

The 2026 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 18 & 19 November, with Breeze Ups to be held across two consecutive days on one turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse on 12 & 13 October from 9.30am.

Vendor	Kilgravin Lodge
Purchaser	Mark Newnham Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Hong Kong)
Breeding	Hellbent – My Dear Friend
Sale	Lot 146, 2023 Ready to Run Sale, $425,000
Owner	Ibis Syndicate
Breeder	Mr A Goonan