Monthly Archives: 11/2013

Some top runners from my home country Germany have emerged as forces to be reckoned with in European racing in recent years.  They have been particularly strong in races over the classic distance of 2400m, with 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream and this year’s King George winner Novellist being Germany’s flagbearers.  But…

I have just got back from Japan where Club Chairman Mr Stevenson and I witnessed a great international event. We were lucky enough to witness Gentildonna write the latest chapter of Japanese racing history as she became the first horse to win back-to-back editions of the Japan Cup.  The popular filly had huge support from…

There were a number of international friendly football matches in Europe in midweek.  Naturally, I paid closest attention to Germany’s game against old rivals England at Wembley.  A decent header from Per Mertesacker meant we won the match by a single goal.  It’s always uplifting to gain a win, particularly when it comes on British…

I was just reflecting back on the sensational LONGINES Jockey Club Races day we had at Sha Tin last Sunday.  I’m sure you will agree that the three G2 events on the day were very exciting especially as we saw some of our leading hopefuls deliver decent performances going into the LONGINES Hong Kong International…

I’m already beginning to feel excited about our international races which are now only three weeks away, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way as our annual showpiece racing event looms ever nearer.  On Wednesday we announced the names of the jockeys who will participate in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, traditionally…

Last Saturday Lucky Nine made his second appearance in Australia in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic. We all had great expectations after his good run in the Manikato Stakes, and our hero started as the race favourite in both Australia and our simulcast pool in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, he ran a below-par race to finish…

Last month when I was in France, I attended the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) annual conference, at which we discussed the direction we should take to facilitate the easier movement of horses between countries. This would enable more of the world’s best horses to compete against one another more often.  During these discussions,…

Racing offers plenty of excitement to its fans and there are few moments in sport as thrilling as a tight finish in a horse race.  There were two important races last week that were only decided in the final few strides.  Our Executive Director of Racing, Bill Nader, has just returned from the Breeders’ Cup…

It’s no secret that horseracing, like many sports, has for the most part traditionally been viewed as being male dominated. Of course, that was true in the past – up to about the middle of the last century women were not even allowed to own racehorses in Britain, and the first professional female jockey only…