Firebreak provided Godolphin with the perfect finish to the 2004 international racing season when winning the HK$14 million (Dh 6.61m) Hong Kong Mile (Group 1) in compelling fashion yesterday.

After finishing a hard-luck fifth in last year’s edition of the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1), Godolphin Racing’s Firebreak produced the result his connections were hoping for on Sunday as he overtook pacesetter Scintillation in the stretch to claim this year’s $1,800,400 test by three-quarters of a length at Sha Tin racecourse.

Firebreak patiently rated under jockey Frankie Dettori just off the leaders before sweeping past a tiring Scintillation inside the final 200 meters. The five-year-old son Charnwood Forest (Ire) continued to kick clear, holding off runner-up Perfect Partner to score the first Group 1 win of his career.
 
"I am so pleased for this horse to get a Group 1 win," Dettori said. "He may not be that flashy but he always tries for you. He can maybe only run four times a year, but you know when he comes to the races he will give you a run for your money and he certainly did that today. You could set your clock by this horse. He will always give you 110%."