The decision to revise the performance criteria for eligibility for trainers to apply for a licence extension beyond the standard retirement age of 65 has been taken with the future of Hong Kong Jockey Club’s strategic objectives firmly in mind.
With plans to permanently expand the Club’s racing footprint between now and the end of 2030, it is vitally important to secure and retain the best possible talent as we prepare to carry out some of the most exciting and complex developments in the Club’s history.
Apart from the large-scale capital works – notably the next major phases of the Conghua Racecourse (CRC) development, featuring construction of a grandstand, stabling capacity for an extra 400 horses and additional world-class training and rehabilitation facilities – we are also simultaneously preparing for the introduction of regular racing at CRC, establishing a triangle of racing across our three racecourses.
As we will also undertake a complete refurbishment of the Sha Tin stables complex, ensuring the continuous upgrade of our assets to meet the future needs of trainers, we need to ensure that we retain our best talent while we welcome the addition of younger trainers including Jamie Richards and Pierre Ng who will start their Hong Kong careers next season.
In the current circumstances, experience has never been more valuable – especially for high-performing handlers such as Ricky Yiu, the 2019/20 champion trainer, and Francis Lui, who is famed by the deeds of Golden Sixty. Both trainers currently rank in the top-five in the 2021/22 championship behind Frankie Lor, John Size and Tony Cruz – the latter pair who continue to excel after reaching the age of 65.
The Club has also approved new criteria applicable for a trainer to be able to continue to train beyond the age of 70, until the age of 73 – and possibly to 75 – if they satisfy the continued performance monitoring criterion.
John and Tony could be the first trainers eligible under the criteria to extend beyond 70 years of age if they continue to perform at their current level. They are both multiple winners of the trainers’ championship and they have both easily exceeded a three-year rolling average of no less than four individual Pattern Race first three placings across the preceding three seasons – John has averaged between six and nine horses, while Tony averages at least four to seven world-class horses per season.
Across the past 10 seasons, including 2021/22 to date, John has totalled 71 individual first three placings in Pattern Races, while Tony has tallied 64.
These are incredibly impressive performances by both John and Tony, which have been recognised by the Club’s board.
With the final chapters of the 2021/22 season about to unfold, it is remarkable to think that after 797 races across 84 meetings the three major Hong Kong racing championships – leading jockey, top trainer and Tony Cruz Award – are still undecided.
Hong Kong racing’s famed competitiveness has rarely been more apparent than this season with Zac Purton leading Joao Moreira 129-128 in the jockeys’ championship, while Frankie Lor holds sway 88-83 over John Size in the race for the trainers’ title and Matthew Chadwick (52) shades Vincent Ho (47) and Derek Leung (44) in the battle for the Tony Cruz Award as the best performed home-grown rider.
The Club has been tested on many fronts this season, primarily by COVID-19, and last Friday’s 25th Anniversary Hong Kong Reunification Raceday was notable not just for the trebles posted by John Size and Matthew Chadwick, but also the challenging weather conditions.
Despite the heavy rain, Hong Kong’s resilience and ‘can-do’ spirit shone brightly as our jockeys, trainers, stable staff as well as Club employees rose to the occasion magnificently to successfully stage the meeting. Our customers were also outstanding in their support, delivering record turnover for the meeting of HK$1726 million, eclipsing last season’s figure of HK$1644 million.
I was also delighted this week to attend the opening of “Drago Cavallo. Travel Around Hong Kong”. Created by acclaimed artist Simon Ma and local students, the showcase of sculptures will embark on a tour across Hong Kong to bring creativity and positivity to the community. In addition, the Club is launching “Drago Cavallo. Youth Art Competition” to invite more students to take part in the creation of Drago Cavallo art. As we mark the HKSAR’s (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) 25th anniversary, I hope these activities will instil positivity in the community and optimism for the future of Hong Kong.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of HKSAR, the Club has donated up to HK$630 million to the HKSAR Government to organise some 60 programmes spanning five key areas of arts and culture, sports, caring for the community, green living and international conferences as part of our commitment to the betterment of society through our integrated business model.
The Club’s recent HK$3.5 billion donation towards the construction of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which is a gift from the Central Government, is the largest ever from the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the finale is the Class 2 Albert Handicap over 1000 metres and, as expected, the pace will be good to fast. Classic Unicorn will show his genuine speed with Matthew Chadwick and is the likely leader with a firing line of horses in close pursuit.
Metro Warrior has drawn the widest gate (12) and Vincent Ho will need to use his speed to cross over to a forward position. We The South will also be prominent with Lyle Hewitson along with McLucky and jockey Jerry Chau, who is now riding with a two-pound claim.
Run Run Cool comes into the race in career-best form and will get a good run from midfield under Harry Bentley. He is eligible for a $1 million High Achievement Bonus and will need his very best in what shapes up to be a competitive race. I make him a place chance.
Stoltz has been freshened at Conghua since his last start and enjoyed a good trial in preparation for this race. Zac Purton has elected to stay with Stoltz over Run Run Cool as both horses are going well. Stoltz is a last start, class, course and distance winner but picks up 13 pounds carrying top weight. I make him a win and place chance.
We The South returns to his preferred course and distance and is a place chance along with Classic Unicorn and Handsome Bo Bo, who is drawn in gate one with Luke Currie.
There will be a special edition of the CEO Blog on Friday (8 July) to preview the Hong Kong International Sale on Saturday (9 July).
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