In the past couple of years the Club has been a staunch supporter of local football development, sponsoring a couple of youth training programmes and academy projects. As well as collaborating with local football teams, Premier League champion Manchester United is also one of our working partners; together we launched the Jockey Club Elite Youth Football Development Programme last summer when United’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, delivered a pre-recorded message at the opening ceremony.
In midweek Sir Alex rocked the football world when it was announced that he will retire from the manager’s post at the end of the season. During his 26-year tenure Sir Alex won a total of 38 major trophies for United, including 13 Premier League titles and the Uefa Champions League twice. Although sometimes football fans of other clubs would have a less than glowing opinion of him, I believe most of them would readily acknowledge his massive achievements and legendary status. And the trophies of course would not have been won were it not for his amazing capacity to nurture young talents and develop them into star players over the years, such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes to name only three; and his ability to take brilliant but raw players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and polish them into superstars. It would not be an exaggeration to say he’s one of the most outstanding football managers of all time.
Although after the current season football fans won’t have the chance to see Sir Alex anxiously chewing gum in his dugout, or celebrating like a kid after his team scores, I’m sure they will all join in wishing him a happy retirement in his new position, as a director with his club. Perhaps it may also give him more time to be with his family and spend more time at the races indulging his enjoyment of horse racing. He has had some success already as an owner, with the most outstanding horse to wear his red and white colours being his partly-owned Rock Of Gibraltar – an outstanding miler – about a decade ago.
United will visit Hong Kong for an exhibition match with Kitchee in July, so local fans could well be the very first audience to see how United plays under Sir Alex’s successor David Moyes. Despite limited resources, Moyes has done quite well at Everton over the past decade. He’s a manager with decent credentials and has earned his chance to manage a big club but it will certainly be a very challenging task to succeed such a legendary manager. It will be interesting see how Moyes does with his team next season.
United fans will have the chance to see Sir Alex leading his team for the last time at Old Trafford when they host Swansea in a league match tomorrow night. I imagine there will for sure be some memorable moments and touching scenes.
Sir Alex steered his team to great success for over two decades, showing a good example that how far a football club can develop, especially under a great gaffer’s leadership. Similarly in the Jockey Club, a number of our past chairmen had, during different period, led us to overcome various challenges and to guide the board of management in taking the Club forward. With their immense efforts and contributions, they all helped shaping the Club as a world leading racing organisation and the top charitable benefactor in Hong Kong nowadays.
Today at Sha Tin they will be coming to the fore as it’s the Chairmen’s Day for us, with nine of the day’s races named after them. I think you may wish to pay close attention to the weather because my analysis in the last blog was made under the assumption of a good track but heavy rain caused a significant change in the track condition.
The Chan Trophy is run as the last race of the day and has attracted some interesting young horses which should have the potential to go up in class. The pace is expected to be at least on the good side which should help some of the horses coming from the back. Lombardi has to work from his outside draw to get across but should lead with King Derby and Flying Chaparral. Electronic Fortune and Rewarding Hero will try to find a position behind the speed. Douglas Whyte will be riding on the improving Master Sommelier, which will be positioned in midfield but has to avoid to be kept wide. Super Caga will be just behind midfield with Gallant Triumph and Precision Era even further back. Master Sommelier is the favourite for me but Gallant Triumph in his last run was finishing very well and has a chance to beat him. Super Caga is improving in his work and I give him a place chance. The same applies to Electronic Fortune and Rewarding Hero too.
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