On a personal note, I was honoured and humbled to be re-elected as Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) at its Executive Council meeting in Paris on Tuesday (8 October).
I am committed to continuing to work closely with passionate and inspiring horseracing administrators from around the world for the betterment of our wonderful sport in the face of significant challenges.
I would like to sincerely thank Mr Brian Kavanagh, who has retired as IFHA Vice-Chair, for his long and distinguished service, as well as his support and friendship. I am delighted that Mr Jim Gagliano, Mr Masayuki Goto and Mr Horacio Esposito will continue as Vice-Chairs, while I congratulate Mr Henri Pouret, the Chief Operating Officer of France Galop, on his election to serve as Vice-Chair.
Stability is crucial to our sport and, as the international nature of horse racing continues to grow, the IFHA remains dedicated to enhancing the sport on a global scale.
Re-election as IFHA Chairman is not only recognition for me personally and all those who have supported me during the years, but it is also an acknowledgement in a broad sense of the importance of Asia and, more particularly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its extremely talented people.
The Club is regarded as a world-leader in horseracing and it is a privilege to serve alongside our dedicated and world-class teams.
Reflecting on the 58th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA), it was a very important gathering to address the issues confronting our sport, not least the matter of integrity.
Integrity is the foundation on which our sport is built and therefore protecting integrity is essential for the credibility and popularity of our sport. We have to provide a level-playing field so that our participants feel comfortable to compete. Without the highest standards of integrity, our sport loses the trust and confidence of our customers and other key stakeholders, which then places the existence of our industry at stake. With recent events showing how pervasive integrity threats are nowadays, racing must continue to lead the way in protecting sports integrity.
October is one of the most anticipated months in Hong Kong racing with the relaunch of Happy Valley as part of the Oktoberfest celebrations. From tonight, (9 October) Happy Valley’s Beer Garden will be transformed to celebrate Oktoberfest with traditional Bavarian food, beer and music. The Oktoberfest festivities will continue at Happy Valley on 16 and 30 October as racegoers savour German hospitality, while enjoying world-class racing from close quarters, and I look forward to visiting the Beer Garden over the next month.
Tonight, the Class 3 Pottinger Handicap is carded as Race 8 at 10.50pm with prizemoney of HK$1.86 million.
The pace in the race should be good with HAPPY FAT CAT (Ellis Wong), SOVEREIGN FUND (Keagan De Melo), PARTERRE (Andre Atzeni) and SCOTCH TYCOON (Lyle Hewitson) all expected to press forward and compete for the lead.
SUPER JOY N FUN has had five starts over this course and distance for three wins, a second and a fifth and won impressively last start. Despite drawing barrier 12 for Jerry Chau, I make him a win and place chance.
REWARD SMILE was unlucky behind SUPER JOY N FUN on 11 September and, from barrier 10, will have the opportunity to balance and get into a nice rhythm for Hugh Bowman, who is riding extremely well. REWARD SMILE has a powerful finish and I also make him a win and place chance.
CHATEAUNEUF (Karis Teetan) is lightly-raced and keeps improving. He should get a good run from barrier one with only 117lb and he is a place chance along with WINGS OF WAR (Harry Bentley), who resumes after scoring a deserved victory two starts ago.
Finally, I am heartened by reports regarding the condition of Trainee Apprentice Jockey Ivy Lam, who was injured in a race fall at Gawler Racecourse on Monday (7 October). Ivy is receiving treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and it is encouraging that her condition has been upgraded from serious to stable.
Ivy and her family remain in our thoughts at this time.
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