West Point Thoroughbreds Sends Awesome Gem to Far East

For Immediate Release

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (December 1, 2008) - West Point Thoroughbreds, a worldwide leader in thoroughbred partnerships, will send graded stakes winner Awesome Gem to Hong Kong for the $2,000,000 Grade I Hong Kong Mile on Sunday, December 14th at Sha Tin Racecourse.

West Point Thoroughbreds accepted an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to send Awesome Gem, who finished third in last year’s Breeders Cup Classic, to compete in the Grade I race. Garrett Gomez, the nation’s leading jockey by purse money won, has accepted the call and will be aboard Awesome Gem.

This will be the first time West Point Thoroughbreds has sent a horse to race in Hong Kong. Terry Finley, West Point’s president, is excited about the idea of having a member of his stable run in the prestigious four-race event at Sha Tin. “We’re thrilled to be sending Awesome Gem over to compete in Hong Kong. We were honored to be invited to run in the Mile and it’s a great opportunity for our partners to see their horse run on an international stage. Awesome Gem has provided his partners countless thrills, but the opportunity to experience racing on one of Asia’s biggest days will be a spectacular memory. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Awesome Gem has worked extremely well in preparation for the race. He worked three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.4 while well in hand Sunday morning at Hollywood Park. Awesome Gem’s trainer Craig Dollase believes his charge is ready to go, “This is a tremendous opportunity for Awesome Gem and all his partners. We were honored to have been recognized with an invitation to the race and just as delighted to accept. We know that we will face some of the best milers in the world, but Awesome Gem has given every indication that he is sitting on a huge effort in his training.”

The five-year-old son of Awesome Again, Awesome Gem has earned over 1.2 million dollars during his career. He was purchased for $150,000 by bloodstock agent Buzz Chace, on behalf of West Point Thoroughbreds, at the 2005 Barrett’s two-year-olds in training sale.

About West Point Thoroughbreds
Founded in 1991 by West Point graduate and former Army captain Terry Finley, West Point Thoroughbreds is one of the oldest and most successful organizations in thoroughbred racing, West Point Thoroughbreds has campaigned over 250 horses since its inception. Notable horses include multiple Grade 1 winner Dream Rush, Grade 1 winner Flashy Bull, Grade 1 winner Irish Smoke, Grade 1 winner Lear’s Princess, graded stakes winner Awesome Gem, graded stakes winner High Finance, graded stakes winner Macho Again and graded stakes winner El Gato Malo.

West Point Thoroughbreds currently manages a stable of approximately 85 horses based primarily in California, Florida, Kentucky, and New York with such noteworthy trainers as Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Craig Dollase, O.J. Jauregui, Bill Mott, Bob Holthus and Lupe Preciado.

For additional information about West Point Thoroughbreds, please visit www.westpointtb.com.


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Contact Information

Congie Devito

Director of Communications

West Point Thoroughbreds

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