It’s been a bit longer than usual since I last updated this blog. I hope you'll understand that, as for the past week or so I've been taking time out to see my family in Germany and enjoy some travelling around Europe. It’s always pleasant to get away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong for a while, though I still try to keep in touch with racing and football news as much as I can.
The majority of our Hong Kong-based jockeys have also taken summer breaks to re-energise themselves, although Zac Purton decided to continue riding in Japan and Neil Callan in England. Both were doing quite well until injuries unfortunately brought their summer riding stints to an abrupt end, with Zac suffering a heel problem and Neil injuring his ankle. Hopefully their injuries are not too serious and they'll be able to return to the saddle soon, to prepare for our new season next month.
Three of our home-grown jockeys have also taken the opportunity to ride overseas during the close season. Derek Leung is working for the Gai Waterhouse stables and the Godolphin operation in Australia. I’m delighted to learn that he has been doing really well, and that he rode a winner for Sheikh Mohammed in his second ride “down under”. In another corner of the world, Dicky Lui recently took on 11 other top apprentices from the region in the Asian Young Guns Challenge in South Africa, while earlier this week Vincent Ho rode second in his first ever ride in France. I’m sure these three talented young riders will have gained a lot of valuable experience and enjoyment from these overseas visits.
When it comes to young talent, I should mention that two of the three-year-old progenies of Sea The Stars have both shone at top level in Europe in recent weeks. One of them was Epsom Oaks winner Taghrooda who won the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, giving her four wins from four starts so far. The other was Sea The Moon who won the German Derby by a huge margin of 11 lengths last month. The second-placer in that race, Lucky Lion, has since won the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis - Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, giving Sea The Moon’s form a further boost.
With Taghrooda now targeted for the Yorkshire Oaks in a fortnight’s time, these two unbeaten horses could well end up encountering each other in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. If so, it will definitely be a duel to watch – which you'll all be able to do, I'm pleased to say, as we shall be simulcasting the Arc to Hong Kong in October.
In football, the English Community Shield and Spanish Super Cup will both be played over the coming few days, and that's good news for football fans as they are the traditional curtain-raisers to the new league seasons in those countries. In fact the Championship and lower divisions of the English Football League all kick off this weekend, and the English Premier League season a week later on 16 August.
Many of the top teams have been playing in pre-season tournaments and friendly matches recently to help get their players back into peak physical condition and “gel” their new signings into the team. Among them, I've been most impressed with Manchester United, who have shown some sparkling early form under the guidance of their new manager Louis van Gaal. They really look like a different team from last season, with their players clearly determined to fight for their place in the new season. United's victory in the International Champions Cup in the US offers some very promising signs for their many fans in Hong Kong and worldwide.
Meanwhile the horse racing season is also in full swing around Europe, and next weekend in Deauville on the northern coast of France we will host the annual Hong Kong Jockey Club Day. It is always an enjoyable occasion and I will be there once again to represent the Club. I look forward to sharing some memorable moments from there in my next blog. See you, then!
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