Four-time group 1 winner Designs On Rome has died following a bout of colic at the age of 15.
The Irish-bred was in retirement at Living Legends in Melbourne, Australia.
Designs On Rome carried the colors of Cheng Keung Fai while racing in Hong Kong, where he won 10 times, with four of these at international group 1 level: the 2014 QEII Cup, 2014 Hong Kong Cup, and 2015 and 2016 Hong Kong Gold Cup.
Those 10 wins also included the 2014 Hong Kong Derby, when the bay denied stablemate and fellow John Moore trainee Able Friend in one of the most stirring renewals in the history of the classic.
Following his Hong Kong Derby triumph, Designs On Rome became the third horse to then capture the QEII Cup in the same season after Vengeance Of Rain (2005) and Ambitious Dragon (2011). Only Werther (2016) and Romantic Warrior (2022) have since accomplished this feat.
The son of Holy Roman Emperor was bestowed as Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2013-14), Hong Kong Champion Middle Distance Horse (2013-14), and Hong Kong Most Popular Horse (2013-14).
He was bred by Moyglare Stud Farm out of the Alleged mare Summer Trysting, and was bought by trainer Pat Flynn for €10,500 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale of 2011.
He raced half a dozen times for Flynn, five of his starts coming as a 2-year-old. He got off the mark at the third time of asking at Naas, and went on to belie his 28-1 odds in the 2012 National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh by finishing runner-up to Dawn Approach.
The following summer he won at Sha Tin when still running under Flynn's name.
Andrew Harding, Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director, racing, said: "It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Designs On Rome, who is one of Hong Kong racing's greatest champions. We will forever remember his heroics on the turf, including his Hong Kong Derby success, giving us great memories.
"Our thoughts are with the connections, especially Cheng Keung Fai, who is a wonderful supporter of Hong Kong racing."
