Tony Cruz’s status as a legend of Hong Kong racing reached a new high when he scored his 1,500th win as a trainer courtesy of Beauty Joy in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

A champion apprentice, senior jockey and trainer across a glittering career, Cruz became just the third handler to amass 1,500 victories, joining fellow iconic figures John Moore (1,735) and John Size (1,534).

The 67-year-old celebrated the milestone when Beauty Joy ended a winning drought of 658 days under Brenton Avdulla.

“It’s an achievement in any trainer’s lifetime to make 1,500 winners,” Cruz said.

“I have to thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club. They gave me a licence for all these years. It’s like 52 years now.

“I’m very happy to be a trainer today because during my days and my life as a jockey, I couldn’t ride to fulfil my lifetime of being a jockey because of the injuries I had. So I’m so glad in part two of my life to be a trainer and the Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the best places to train horses in the world.

“To me, you need a good jockey to make it happen so I’m very happy to have Brenton Avdulla to ride in all these races for me. I’m sure we’re looking to a good future together.”

Avdulla lauded Cruz after continuing his feature-winning spree for the veteran handler, fresh from a pair of Group One victories on his stable star California Spangle.

“He has always been a trainer or a jockey, he’s what everyone in Hong Kong aspires to be and he’s going to be a legend of the turf when we’re all gone in 100 years,” Avdulla said.

“He’s always going to be a part of history, so for me to link up with him in my first season, I owe him a lot. I’m very thankful.”

Sent off the $4.6 second elect, Beauty Joy capitalised on a perfect run midfield on the rail after jumping from the inside gate.

Avdulla timed his run to perfection, extricating the Sebring gelding off the fence early in the straight to launch a powerful run down the centre of the track.

He chased down the $2.1 favourite Beauty Eternal to win by a length and a quarter, delivering the Kwok family a quinella. Red Lion was third.

“I think the barrier’s very important and probably a bit of rain in the ground, too,” Avdulla said after guiding Beauty Joy to his first win since the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) in 2022.

“He was able to jump on terms and I was able to sort of hold my spot without using him too much. It was probably the first time in a long time he hasn’t thrown his head, which is a bonus.”

Cruz will set Beauty Joy for another crack at the Group One FWD Champions Mile (1,600m) on April 28. He ran second to Golden Sixty in the feature last year.

“He’s always been a great miler to 1,800m horse to me,” Cruz said. “I believe in the Champions Mile on the 28th, he’ll stand a great chance. Today, he had a perfect run, he had a perfect draw. He sneaked up on the rail – it was smooth sailing all the way. He showed what he’s got in his finish.”

Cruz and Avdulla claimed a race-to-race double when Californiatotality won the Class Four Plantation Handicap (1,600m).