Artists in residence as Zac and Murakami-san show their talents

June is always the time when the international racing season moves into top gear and this year is proving no exception. Aidan O’Brien continued his remarkable Classic record by landing his seventh Derby win with Anthony Van Dyck at Epsom on Saturday. Almond Eye had her winning streak ended in an eventful Yasuda Kinen, but…

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Zac and Joao trading blows as an international weekend beckons

It was our pleasure to host special guests from Bordeaux on our final French-themed night at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Zac Purton produced a vintage ride in the featured Sauternes Cup, making a daring move from the rear on Perfect To Play, while Joao Moreira sealed a four timer with an equally thrilling win from…

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Exultant and Tai Kwun both set to go the distance

So many notable stories have emerged over the last few days both on and off the racecourse. Exultant was clearly the star of a very strong Sha Tin card on Sunday, adding to his Hong Kong Vase success with a typically brave win in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. He has achieved something…

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Stars out in force for Champions & Chater weekend

This is turning into a busy and significant week both on and off the racecourse. I left the races on Wednesday to go to an IFHA EXCO Meeting in Dublin at which we discussed how we as Racing Authorities and organisers have to address the significant challenges that global racing faces worldwide in light of…

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Stars of present and future on show as a big week beckons

And so we begin another Group 1 week in Hong Kong racing. This Sunday’s Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup brings back vivid memories of some very special horses, from four-time winner River Verdon, three-time winner Viva Pataca and dual winners such as Indigenous, Oriental Express and Blazing Speed. Pakistan Star will be bidding to…

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Education in the spotlight as we celebrate Community Day

This has been another intriguing week on the news front in Hong Kong racing. There was a great atmosphere at Happy Valley for the first of three French-themed nights on Wednesday and the growing influence of Conghua was on show like never before, with four consecutive winners travelling down from our Mainland Base culminating with…

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Stewarding in the spotlight as French flair visits the Valley

Our Simulcast season is gathering pace at the moment and last Sunday’s French Guineas programme will be followed by another big international show for Yushun Himba Day in Japan this weekend. Godolphin stole the show at Longchamp, winning the French 2000 Guineas with Andre Fabre’s exciting Persian King and then recording their 300th global G1…

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Me joins 500 Club as title intrigue grows

The wet weather didn’t dampen spirits at Sha Tin this week on a night when Me Tsui recorded the 500th winner of his training career. Me has always gone about his business with a quiet professionalism and it came as no surprise to hear him downplaying his latest achievement after Sky Treasure had given him…

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Trainers’ title warming up as Kentucky debate continues

It has been a dramatic few days on the global racing front, with Newmarket staging Britain’s first Classics of the season and America locked in debate about a controversial finish to the Kentucky Derby. Events at a stormy Churchill Downs on Saturday made headlines in an unprecedented way as the Derby winner Maximum Security was…

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New face and new base proving their worth

Nothing stands still for long on the Hong Kong racing scene and, hard on the heels of a memorable FWD Champions Day, a new face stole the headlines at Happy Valley on Wednesday. It often takes time for new riders to adapt to the special demands of our challenging city track so congratulations to Aldo…

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