Agnes Digital, partnered by Hirofumi Shii, battled hard to the line to win the final leg of the 2001 Emirates World Series, the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon

The Emirates World Series travels around the globe taking in the twelve most prestigious thoroughbred races, in ten countries on four continents. All twelve are great races and events in their own right and together they provide a global test in horse racing to establish the one true World Champion Thoroughbred of 2001.

Trained by Toshiaki Shirai, the four-year-old son of Crafty Prospector was well placed throughout the mile-and-a-quarter turf race with the field being taken along for the majority of the trip by Tobougg, ridden by 2001 World Champion Frankie Dettori.

Agnes Digital, winner of the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October, moved into second place along the final straight and took the lead from Tobougg a furlong and a half from home. Dettori asked Tobougg for his all and closed the gap on the leader but the line came too soon and the race favourite from Japan claimed the Cup.

Terre A Terre, a four-year-old daughter of Kaldounevees trained in France by Eric Libaud and a recent winner of the Group One Prix de l'Opera, ran on well to take the third slot from the Michael Jarvis-trained Hawkeye, with Gary Stevens in the saddle.

Jim and Tonic, who was having his seventh career outing in Hong Kong, looked to be going well but could not get on terms with the leaders and finished in fifth place.

Saddle Up, partnered by Japan Cup winning jockey Olivier Peslier, finished in sixth place ahead of the Robbie Fradd ridden Peak Power.

Silvano, who won the third leg of the Emirates World Series - the Arlington Million - and was fourth in the Carlton Draught Cox Plate, the Australian leg of the Series, was drawn on the wide outside and never really got into the race, finishing in eleventh place.

Fantastic Light named Series Champion
Fantastic Light ended an awesome 2001 campaign by being crowned the Emirates World Series Champion for the second successive year. Owned by the 2001 World Champions Godolphin, the son of Rahy ended the year with 30 points following his wins in the Ireland The Food Island Irish Champion Stakes, the Breeders' Cup Turf and a second place in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.