O'Brien Enters Two Horses for Hong Kong International Races
Aidan O'Brien has entered Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace in the Hong Kong Vase and Hong Kong Cup ahead of the December 13 meeting.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Equestrian
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has entered Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace in the Hong Kong Vase and Hong Kong Cup at the International Races meeting on December 13. Benvenuto Cellini's Breeders' Cup Turf win at Keeneland brought O'Brien level with his record of 28 Group or Grade 1 victories in a year.
Why it matters
A strong showing in Hong Kong could allow O'Brien to surpass his own single-year record for Group 1 or Grade 1 winners. The entries also show how the trainer's team is being positioned for the season's most valuable international finale.
O'Brien's 28 Group or Grade 1 victories in 2017 remain the benchmark he is chasing, with Diamond Necklace and Minnie Hauk each holding four career Group 1 wins. The final field and whether Queenstown is added to the longer-distance entry have not been confirmed.
The players
Aidan O'Brien
Irish trainer based at Ballydoyle who has held the record for the most Group or Grade 1 victories in a single year.
The details
O'Brien has entered Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace in the Hong Kong Vase over 1m4f and the Hong Kong Cup over 1m2f. Minnie Hauk and Lambourn, the 2025 Derby winner, are also entered in the two races.
Timeline
2017: O'Brien records 28 Group or Grade 1 victories in one year.
2024: Giavellotto wins the Hong Kong Vase.
2025: Lambourn wins the Derby and Ethical Diamond wins the Breeders' Cup Turf.
December 13: International Races meeting in Hong Kong.
Season Trajectory
Benvenuto Cellini's Keeneland win brought O'Brien level with his 2017 record of 28 Group or Grade 1 victories in a single year. Hong Kong gives the trainer a chance to move beyond that mark in the season's final international meeting.
Benvenuto Cellini's chase for Group 1 wins directly bears on O'Brien's record tally for the year. Fans tracking the season can follow the Hong Kong Vase and Hong Kong Cup entries as they are confirmed.
The takeaway
O'Brien's record pursuit shows how a single race result can reshape a trainer's season benchmarks. Watching the final entries for Hong Kong will show whether the record chase continues.
What happens next
The International Races meeting in Hong Kong takes place on December 13, when Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace are due to race.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Equestrian coverage.
