The pursuit of excellence is critical to Hong Kong Jockey Club performance in all areas of its operations and, over many years, the contributions from individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities have enhanced our brand.
A cursory glance at the current jockey and trainer cohorts reveals a variety of influences from around the world – France, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Sardinia and Hong Kong.
Individually and collectively, these world-class operators have helped Hong Kong horseracing flourish on the global stage, both in terms of standard and popularity.
For almost a quarter of a century, Tony Millard has been a respected figure in Hong Kong. With 709 winners since moving to Sha Tin from South Africa in 2000, Tony carved out a fine career in our city through the deeds of some outstanding champions. He was also the first trainer I enticed to come to Hong Kong since I joined the Club as Director of Racing.
Tony will forever be synonymous with the major race achievements of dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon, one of his two Hong Kong Derby winners, while he also campaigned abroad with success, triumphing in Korea with Super Jockey.
Renowned as a supreme conditioner of his horses, who always looked immaculate, Tony has decided to relinquish his trainers’ licence. His last Group elite victory in Hong Kong came via Panfield in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, a success which secured Panfield the mantle of Hong Kong Champion Stayer in 2020/21.
I sincerely thank Tony for his contribution to Hong Kong racing and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.
I would also like to acknowledge Peter Ho’s contributions to our sport. Peter trained 634 winners in Hong Kong and he will be remembered for his association with topliners Mr Medici and Packing Winner and I wish him all the best for the future.
Our World Pool programme continues at Ascot on Saturday night with the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Regarded as one of the highlights of the British summer season, it is carded as S1-5 and will be run over 2392 metres at 10:40pm with a field of 11 runners.
The assembled field has won a combined 14 Group 1s and draws together an incredible array of high-quality horses.
Aidan O’Brien has four runners – Bolshoi Ballet, Point Lonsdale, Luxembourg and dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore – in a race where track conditions could play a crucial role.
While Epsom and Irish Derby winner Auguste Rodin can handle aside surface but with his beautiful fluent action he prefers a track which is on the good side, while Owen Burrows-trained Hukum – brother to last season’s European champion Baaeed – relishes rain-affected going.
The pace is likely to be genuine with Bolshoi Ballet and Point Lonsdale primed to set a genuine tempo. Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel and Hukum are likely to settle in the midfield, along with Emily Upjohn, who could give Frankie Dettori a record-breaking eighth victory in the race.
Auguste Rodin has five wins from seven starts and Ryan had the option to ride Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Luxembourg for Aidan.
Auguste Rodin is my win and place selection ahead of Hukum and King Of Steel, who easily won the G2 King Edward VII Stakes over this course and distance last month.
With rain at Ascot late this week and with the conditions still unsettled, Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Hukum has charged into calculations and is a place chance along with Coronation Cup victor Emily Upjohn, last season’s winner Pyledriver and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Westover.
Luxembourg, Deauville Legend and Ascot course and distance winner Hamish also have place claims in what shapes as a wonderful contest.
Our simulcast programme continues on Sunday with Champions Cup Day from Greyville Racecourse in Durban, South Africa.
The feature race is the G1 HKJC Champions Cup, which is carded as S2-8 and will be run at 9:40pm. Outstanding three-year-old See It Again, who is prepared by champion trainer Michael Roberts, must overcome a tricky barrier in 11 for Piere Strydom, but is my win and place selection.
The hardest to beat is high-class filly Princess Calla, who has shown explosive acceleration over shorter trips. Zapatillas, Trip of Fortune and Safe Passage, who will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson, are also place chances.
Wishing Vincent Ho a speedy recovery!
On a separate note, I was very concerned when hearing that Vincent Ho, who has been striving to further improve himself during a summer riding stint in Japan, suffered from a fall at Niigata Racecourse earlier on Saturday.
I am relieved to learn subsequently that Vincent sounded fine and stayed strong albeit the further diagnosis of back injury and mild concussion. The Club is providing Vincent with necessary support and assistance, including transferring him back to Hong Kong when his condition is confirmed to be suitable to travel.
I would like to share my best wishes to Vincent for a speedy recovery.
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