He lived up to his name, and had his very own Cinderella story.
In 2006, when the Takeover Target fiasco occured in Hong Kong and he (TT) was withdrawn from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, Absolute Champion, a mere stand-by starter, drew in.
He shocked everyone and won, beating an international field.... horses like the diva from Japan, She is Tosho, Benbaum, etc.
The locals were a tough bunch... Silent Witness, Scintillation, et al.
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2006&raceno=05
Ab Champ went on to win the Chairman's Sprint Prize...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2007&raceno=07
... the HSBC Premiere Bowl (beating Armada, Vengeance of Rain...)...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2006&raceno=09
... and recently (January) the Centenary Sprint Cup (beating Sacred Kingdom, Able Prince, etc.)...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2008&raceno=07
He was 2nd to Sacred Kingdom in his last HK start (Cent. Sprint Cup)...
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/r...2008&raceno=07
... and he lost his life last night in Singapore, in the KrisFlyer... a race I'll never bother to watch.
Ab Champ, whose original name was Genuis and Evil, was currently 4th on the Top 50 list...
Top 50 Horses (as of 15/5/2008) excerpt...
Rating Name Brand No Trainer
130 SACRED KINGDOM G268 P F Yiu
129 GOOD BA BA E201 A Schutz
129 VIVA PATACA G096 J Moore
126 ABSOLUTE CHAMPION E060 D J Hall
126 ARMADA E246 J Size
123 BULLISH LUCK C155 A S Cruz
123 FLORAL PEGASUS G011 A S Cruz
121 HELLO PRETTY E210 A S Cruz
He leaves behind connections who are obviously devastated, and fans all over the world.
He will be be missed, but never forgotten.
Run in peace, good boy and Hong Kong raider.
A sad day.