“He Was A Class Act” – Death Of Retired Hong Kong Legend Designs On Rome At 15

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Pat Flynn, the man responsible for nurturing the talents of Designs On Rome (Ire) in Ireland, paid a glowing tribute to the Hong Kong legend who died at the age of 15 in retirement. 

Designs On Rome won close to €6 million in prize-money throughout a glittering career that spanned six seasons. He was bred by Moyglare Stud in Ireland and was picked up for just €10,500 by Flynn at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2011. 

“I'll never forget after I bought him, I rang my wife straight away and told her I had bought a champion,” Flynn shared on Thursday. “I called him Designs On Rome because he was by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), and I thought he was so good, that it would be good to call him after the emperor's son, who had designs on taking over the empire. What he did for me and what he went on to achieve in Hong Kong, I think he grew into that name.”

Designs On Rome raced five times for Flynn in Ireland, including when second to Dawn Approach (Ire) in the G1 Vincent O'Brien Stakes at the Curragh, before being sold to Hong Kong. It was with trainer John Moore where his career hit dizzying heights in Hong Kong, with Designs On Rome scooping the Hong Kong Horse Of The Year in 2013/14. 

Flynn continued, “He had a magnificent life in Hong Kong and was treated like an absolute king in the Home Of Legends. I actually went over to see him race in Hong Kong and it was just awesome. You have to give a big shout out to Moyglare Stud as they bred a wonderful horse. We've trained over 800 winners and had some high-class horses around here but he was up there with the best of them. 

“I can remember telling John Moore that he was getting one of the best horses that ever came to Hong Kong when we sold him. He probably had a bit of a chuckle to himself but he just turned out to be something special.”

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