Report: Soldier Rising will rest rather than head to Hong Kong

Soldier Rising will not become the first U.S.-based horse to run in the Group 1, $2 million Hong Kong Vase as expected and will instead be sent to the sidelines ahead of a 2024 campaign, it was reported Friday.

Thoroughbred Daily News quoted trainer Christophe Clement as saying that a substandard workout last week led him to change plans to send the 5-year-old gelding to Sha Tin racecourse for the race, which is run at 2400 meters or just shy of 1 1/2 miles on the turf.

“We worked him on Sunday (five furlongs in 1:03.45 over the Belmont main track) and I was not satisfied with the work,” TDN quoted him as saying. “He came back and I don't think he is as good as he could be – not bad, but when you go for such a long trip and such a prestigious race, you want to make sure everything is OK. I wasn't comfortable about it, so we'll give him a break and bring him back next year.” 

And Clement said a trip to Hong Kong could be in the cards for the son of Frankel next year.

"Maybe Big Invasion for the (Hong Kong) Sprint as well," TDN quoted him as saying. "Good horses from America compete well in the Breeders' Cup and there's no reason they can't also do so overseas. International competition is good for all of us.”

Soldier Rising is winless in six starts this year, but finished second in five of those races, including the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, the Sword Dancer, the Manhattan and the Man o' War, all Grade 1s.