Latest news with #LibertyIsland
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top jockey's tribute to superstar racehorse as champion's grave is officially opened to public
Yuga Kawada said he will never come to terms with the loss of Liberty Island who suffered a fatal injury while racing in Hong Kong in April A top jockey delivered a heartfelt tribute to a champion racehorse who died after suffering a fatal injury while racing in Hong Kong. Liberty Island made history in 2023 when she won the equivalent of Japanese racing's Triple Crown, landing the Japanese 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and the Shuka Sho, which is known as the Triple Tiara. She campaigned on the international stage, finishing third in the Dubai Sheema Classic and second behind Romantic Warrior in the 2024 Hong Kong Cup. She returned to Hong Kong in April as one of the leading challengers for the Group 1 QE II Cup, yet during the race she stumbled and broke down in the straight. Her distressed rider Yuga Kawada dismounted and stood holding the mare tightly as vets and track staff arrived to assist. However her injuries were so serious that the decision was taken to euthanize her. In a subsequent post Kawada told fans, 'I'm sorry she had the worst ending. I am so sorry I took Liberty away from you all.' Kawada rode Liberty Island in all 12 of her races helping the mare to five wins which earned more than £6 million in prize-money. She was so popular in Japan that her owner installed a gravestone at Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido, where she was buried. At the ceremony on Wednesday, where guests laid flowers, Kawada said: "There are only a handful of horses that can have a grave like this built. I hope the fans will be able to come and see her whenever they want. I am very grateful that she will be able to remain in such a beautiful space. "She was the most special horse, so I will never be able to come to terms with it, but as a jockey I have no choice but to accept it and move on. It is our role to pass on the many things that Liberty left behind to the next generation, and as jockeys I just have to cherish each and every race."
Gizmodo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
The Statue of Liberty Is for Sale: Amazon Is Selling Its 1685-Pieces LEGO Set at a Record Low Price
LEGO does not only tell stories of well-known franchises such as Star Wars or Harry Potter, even though those licenses certainly helped propel LEGO in the minds of consumers globally. LEGO strives to bring global culture and history to life with its Architecture series featuring many wonderful landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Westminster Bridge, and Statue of Liberty. Currently, the LEGO Architecture Statue of Liberty (21042) is available on Amazon at a record low price of $94, which is 22% off the original listing price of $119. Over 1,000 units have sold in the last month and it is an Amazon's Choice item, so it is a steal for all builders and avid collectors of LEGO. See at Amazon Beautiful Statue What is incredible about the Statue of Liberty model is how much detail LEGO included in this set and how many builders were blown away. Lady Liberty's flowing robe is beautifully depicted, the pedestal with the shield is incredibly detailed with brick details and columns, broken shackles represent freedom, a 7-ray crown is iconic and the tablet and upraised arm with the golden torch is equally representation of freedom. The colors (sand green and beige) are very humanlike and give the model a liveliness while building it. With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 6,200 reviews—nearly 6,000 of which are five-star ratings—this set is a favorite for dedicated collectors. With more than 1,600 pieces, standing 44 cm tall, this statue certainly captures your focus and can be a great statement piece anywhere at home or in the office. Based on reviews, the alternative designs and materials of this set are top quality at it's current promotional price, that makes it a great dal for a LEGO fans. See at Amazon
South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
The cruelty of gambling on horses in Hong Kong must end
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Recently, three horses perished on Hong Kong racetracks in a week, including Liberty Island , a high-profile thoroughbred from Japan. Globally, the issues of drugs, fatal injuries, whipping slaughter and corruption in this industry are well documented. The cruelty of this pastime must end – the cost to horses is simply too high. Thoroughbreds in many jurisdictions are forced to run while still young and growing. Horses routinely suffer injuries, lameness and exhaustion and are medicated with muscle relaxants, sedatives and other pharmaceuticals. Countless die in racing, long before their natural lifespan. Many that survive aren't retired to grassy pastures. Instead, their flesh ends up on plates in places like South Korea. Peta US investigators captured footage at South Korea's largest horse slaughterhouse and identified 23 thoroughbred racehorses. The footage of trembling horses was gut-wrenching. After a police investigation, three workers and the company were charged, but it's business as usual in this cruel industry. Gambling on horses' lives is indefensible while this abuse continues.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Triple Crown-winning racehorse suffers tragic death after breaking down in front of stands
Vets were unable to save Liberty Island after she went wrong during the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong on Sunday The career of one of Japan's most popular racehorses ended in tragedy in Hong Kong on Sunday. Liberty Island, a five-year-old mare trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, made history in 2023 when she won the equivalent of racing's Triple Crown, landing the Japanese 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and the Shuka Sho, which is known as the Triple Tiara. She had been campaigned on the international stage subsequently, finishing third in the Dubai Sheema Classic and was second behind Romantic Warrior in last year's Hong Kong Cup, taking her career earnings to nearly £4million. Liberty Island returned to Hong Kong on Sunday as one of the leading challengers for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Cup at a packed Sha Tin racecourse. Yet just after beginning to launch her challenge she stumbled and broke down in the straight when she was quickly pulled up by jockey Yuga Kawada and dismounted. A clearly distressed Kawada stood holding the mare tightly as vets and track staff arrived to erect a black screen around her for privacy from onlookers as they worked to save her close to the stands rail. But their efforts were in vain as owners Sunday Racing confirmed: 'She had torn the medial and lateral sesamoid ligaments of her left front leg, and the fetlock joint was subluxated, so the fetlock joint was touching the ground. Unfortunately the veterinarian diagnosed her with a poor prognosis and she was euthanised.' Among many to post tributes, John Stewart, owner of Goliath, who finished ninth in the race in which Tastiera beat Prognosis to produce a one-two for Japan, said: 'As we are about to leave HK, I am heartbroken over the loss of Liberty Island. I was in awe of her in the paddock. She was magnificent and it is so unfortunate for her owners. My heart goes out to Sunday Racing Co.' Hong Kong stewards found jockey Brenton Avdulla guilty of careless riding for moving his mount Ensued out when not clear, leaving Liberty Island short of room. He was suspended for three days and fined £6,000. Kawada was also questioned, telling officials that Liberty Island 'travelled only fairly during the race, however, he had no concern with its action prior to the 250m'. He added that 'in his opinion, whilst Liberty Island was crowded near the 300m this had no bearing on the horse going amiss near the 250m'. In Japan, leading stud farm and owner Northern Farm announced there would be a floral tribute at the Horse Gallery in Northern Horse Park in memory of Liberty Island. A portion of the admission fee to the park will be donated to medical research for racehorses.
28-04-2025
- Sport
Japan's Liberty Island Euthanized after Injury in Race
Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, April 28 (Jiji Press)--Japanese racehorse Liberty Island, the triple crown winner of 2023, has been humanely killed after suffering an injury during a Grade 1 race in Hong Kong. During the Queen Elizabeth II Cup race at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, the 5-year-old filly, jockeyed by Yuga Kawada, had a problem in the final stretch and dropped out of the race, according to local media. She was later found to have a torn ligament in her left foreleg and was euthanized. Liberty Island became the seventh horse to win the three Japanese tiles for female horses--the Oka Sho, the Japanese Oaks and the Shuka Sho--in 2023. She has also competed in overseas races. In the Hong Kong race, Japanese male horses Tastiera and Prognosis achieved a one-two finish. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
