Hong Kong Sha Tin report:Aidan O'Brien was not too downhearted after Dylan Thomas failed to produce a fairytale ending to a superb career in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin yesterday. The four-year-old could not add to his King George VI, Irish Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victories this season as he trailed in seventh, four and three quarter lengths behind the French-trained winner Doctor Dino in his final run.
After being held up towards the rear by jockey Johnny Murtagh, a stumble when hampered early in the straight ended his chances.
O'Brien paid tribute to the Danehill colt's career and praised his resilience in still being able to run after missing out on the Japan Cup. He had been held up by veterinary red tape getting to Hong Kong having already experiencing an arduous and extremely competitive season.
"He's probably the best horse we've ever had," said the Irish trainer.
"What he's done this year from a mile and a furlong to a mile and a half is amazing and there comes a time for every horse. You must remember what he's done, and even for him to turn up today, very few horses would've even turned up.
"He got caught in quarantine in Japan for a long time and he looked a horse ready to go into training than go out of training being realistic and honest, he was way overweight.
"We couldn't do anything about it, we put as much work into him as we could and the lads did a good job keeping him sound and right.
"We were delighted to be invited here. It's important that he's safe. It didn't really matter the race we've had."
Murtagh added: "We missed the start and he was back too far and there was no pace. We had a problem when the winner came out on us in the straight but he had no gas."
Doctor Dino, ridden by Olivier Peslier, hit the front close to home to win by a length and a half from German gelding Quijano with fellow German challenger Bussoni third. Arch Rebel finished a highly-creditable fourth for Irish trainer Noel Meade.
Frankie Dettori claimed Ramonti's victory in the Hong Kong Cup was the perfect way to cap an excellent year. Godolphin's five-year-old held off a determined challenge from local favourite Viva Pataca, ridden by Mick Kinane, before he survived a stewards' inquiry to land a fourth Group One triumph of the season.
"It's been a great year," Dettori said. "I was fortunate enough to win the Derby, ride the champion miler of Europe and now you could say one of the best horses in the world".
Coolmore hope Excellent Art, ridden by Murtagh, could only manage eighth and O'Brien confirmed the three-year-old would be following Dylan Thomas into retirement.
"He was an unlucky horse, he had a few very good races," O'Brien said. "For a three-year-old he's had a long hard run now. He's been a very good horse".
