The 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season is very much in its infancy but, in the space only three meetings and 28 races, the city’s world-class racing has already featured excellence and inspiring examples of persistence and resilience.
KA YING RISING’s triumphant return in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin at the season-opener on 7 September served as a timely reminder of his status as the world’s best sprinter as he lit up a fabulous meeting with a brilliant display.
As David Hayes’ superstar prepares to fly out to Sydney this weekend for a tilt at The Everest on 18 October, the first three weeks of the season have given us cause to reflect on how important Hong Kong racing is to our passionate followers.
The victory of SELF IMPROVEMENT in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200, dirt) also showcased the talents of veteran trainer Manfred Man and 25-year-old homegrown talent Jerry Chau on the international stage in the most positive fashion possible.
At home, we have watched as Jamie Richards has impressively responded to a challenging 2024/25 campaign by rapidly producing five winners from only 15 runners this season.
Jamie has trained two doubles in only three meetings and shown the value of persisting in the face of adversity, and I congratulate him for his strong start to this season, also realising that the competitive nature of our outstanding trainers’ cohort will undoubtedly present more challenges.
Zac Purton has ridden two of Jamie’s winners so far – notably the impressive BULB GENERAL – to make his usual fast start and with seven winners, two seconds and two thirds from 23 rides, he is operating with familiar expertise and efficiency.
Senior riders Alexis Badel (four wins), Derek Leung (two), Hugh Bowman (two), Brenton Avdulla (two), Andrea Atzeni (two) and Harry Bentley (two) have all returned in good form and look set to enjoy strong seasons.
Apprentice Britney Wong’s effort to post a double at Sha Tin last Sunday (14 September) on PACKING BOLE and FIGHT TIME saw her achieve her first Hong Kong milestone by reaching 20 winners.
That landmark triggered a reduction in Britney’s allowance from 10lbs to 7lbs which will make competing for rides more formidable but her ability to ride at light weights remains an asset as she continues to develop.
Britney is eager to learn as much as she can from her peers and, under the tutelage of Felix Coetzee and Amy Chan, the Club’s Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, she has invaluable support to continue her progress in an incredible competitive environment.
At Happy Valley tonight (17 September), we continue our celebration of Fashion Wednesdays in the Beer Garden. Rechelle Mansour is back to entertain attendees with her amazing voice and stage presence.
Racegoers can enjoy a host of fashion-related activities, excellent food and beverages while watching world-class racing at close quarters at one of the most unique horse racing venues in the world.
The feature race at Happy Valley is the Class 2 Shek O Handicap, which is carded as Race 8 and will be run over 1650m at 10.50pm for prizemoney of HK$3.12 million.
The pace will be good with TELECOM FIGHTERS (Matthew Chadwick) going forward to lead from gate three. CAILFORNIATOTALITY (Alexis Badel) and KEEFY (Ellis Wong) have drawn well and should be prominent along with SOLEIL FIGHTER (Zac Purton).
STEPS AHEAD (Lyle Hewitson) was narrowly beaten at his only Happy Valley start by HONG LOK GOLF in a close finish on 11 June and has had a good break from racing since and he is a win and place chance for Lyle Hewitson.
SOLEIL FIGHTER won three races and was placed on six other occasions over this course and distance last season. He was slightly disappointing at his two final runs of the season at Sha Tin but comes back to his favoured conditions after an impressive trial win on 5 September. He is awkwardly drawn but is also a win and place chance.
CALIFORNIATOTALITY was a five-time winner last season and at his only run at this class and distance camped on the speed from gate two before running home strongly late to beat SOLEIL FIGHTER narrowly on 14 May. CALIFORNIATOTALITY should get a good run from gate two and is a place chance.
LO RIDER (Harry Bentley) was outstanding in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind CAP FERRAT in March when he led. At his only run since, he was beaten less than two lengths, behind LIGHT YEARS CHARM over 1400m on 1 July. LO RIDER has been in Conghua since and trialed well there recently. He is a place chance from gate one with clear running in the straight.
KEEFY, JUMBO LEGEND (Vincent Ho) and TELECOM FIGHTERS are all place considerations.
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