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News Index

Tue 23rd Mar 2021

Classique Legend dazzles in Sha Tin trial as Francis Lui mulls FWD Champions Mile for Golden Sixty

By Leo Schlink
Classique Legend has taken another significant step towards a competitive return with a blistering 1000m trial victory at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (23 March) as Francis Lui indicated the G1 FWD Champions Mile on 25 April was Golden Sixty’s likely next objective.

7.40AM

Sun 21st Mar 2021

Caspar Fownes and Joao Moreira lift the BMW Hong Kong Derby with Sky Darci

By Leo Schlink
An inspired Caspar Fownes’ training performance, crowned by a supreme Joao Moreira ride, has allowed Sky Darci to overcome serious stamina doubts while delivering dramatic BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) success at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 March).

11.40AM

Sat 20th Mar 2021

HK Derby likely to be run at moderate pace, according to Tony Millard, Joao Moreira

By Leo Schlink
Accustomed to success in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), Joao Moreira and Tony Millard both contend this year’s Classic is likely to be contested at a leisurely tempo, paving the way for a sit-sprint finale at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 March).

2.20AM

Fri 19th Mar 2021

David Hayes’ youngsters Master Montaro and Fantastic Treasure tackle Derby undercard

By Declan Schuster
While two-time champion trainer David Hayes looks set to feature prominently in Sunday’s (21 March) BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Shadow Hero and Conqueror, the Australian handler will also have an eye on the undercard as talented young guns Master Montaro and Fantastic Treasure bid for back-to-back wins.

6.40AM

Thu 18th Mar 2021

Size satisfied with trio’s barriers for Sunday’s HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby

By Declan Schuster
The 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) barrier draw was conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse today (Thursday, 18 March) and trainer John Size indicated his approval with where his trio – Excellent Proposal, Lucky Express and Silver Express - will jump from in Hong Kong’s most prestigious and sought-after race at Sha Tin this Sunday (21 March).

8.20AM

Tue 16th Mar 2021

Karis Teetan excited by Russian Emperor’s BMW Hong Kong Derby prospects

By Leo Schlink
Seeking his first BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph, Karis Teetan believes impeccably-bred Russian Emperor is capable of delivering breakthrough success at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 March).

7.00AM

Gallant Crown notches a hat-trick of wins.

Gallant Crown goes for four at the Valley

5.00AM

Mon 15th Mar 2021

Sky Darci on target for BMW Hong Kong Derby as Caspar Fownes chases a second Classic triumph

By Leo Schlink
Caspar Fownes is optimistic Sky Darci can erase the disappointment of successive luckless runs by strongly contending for BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) glory at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 March).

7.00AM

Sat 13th Mar 2021

Wellington capitalises on handicap conditions to vindicate Richard Gibson’s faith

By Leo Schlink
Long regarded as one of the fastest horses Richard Gibson has handled, Wellington took a crucial step towards elite sprint contests with emphatic success in the Class 1 Lantau Island Handicap (1200m), downing a string of renowned rivals – including the world’s second-ranked sprinter Hot King Prawn – at Sha Tin on Saturday (13 March).

11.00AM

Wed 10th Mar 2021

Travel Datuk salutes at last, ending a 48-race losing streak for Richard Gibson and Matthew Poon

By Leo Schlink
Almost five years after debuting at Happy Valley, Irish import Travel Datuk shed unwanted status as Hong Kong’s most celebrated maiden by successfully snapping a 48-start losing streak to the bemusement and delight of Richard Gibson and Matthew Poon.

4.00PM

Sky Darci prevails in the Chevalier Cup Handicap to complete a hat-trick of wins this season.

Sky Darci heads BMW Hong Kong Derby selected runners

4.20AM

Tue 9th Mar 2021

Russian Emperor pleases Whyte ahead of BMW Hong Kong Derby tilt

By Declan Schuster
After entering the 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) fold with a dashing second at 79/1 in last month’s Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), Russian Emperor - a son of Galileo - took another crucial step toward Hong Kong’s most prestigious race with a solid first-past-the-post effort in a barrier trial at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 9 March).

10.00AM

Douglas Whyte has 17 wins this season.

Douglas Whyte hopes barrier lessons will help Rainbow Light deliver

6.20AM

Sun 7th Mar 2021

Flagship Glory surges into BMW Hong Kong Derby discussions

By Leo Schlink
Flagship Glory has edged into BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) calculations with an impressive staying performance at Sha Tin this afternoon (Sunday, 7 March) as Zac Purton continued a withering mid-season charge with a treble, leaving the Australian with eight wins from the past two meetings.

11.40AM

Fri 5th Mar 2021

Super Football’s BMW Hong Kong Derby hopes hinge on continued progress

By Declan Schuster
Super Football’s (113lb) BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aspirations will be put to the test this Sunday (7 March) at Sha Tin as he shoots for a hat-trick of wins and a boost in the ratings high enough to warrant consideration for Hong Kong’s most prestigious race in a fortnight’s time.

7.20AM

Wed 3rd Mar 2021

Zac Purton dominates Happy Valley with a superb five-timer in a reminder of his skills

By Leo Schlink
The deficit remains confronting, but Zac Purton breathed life into flickering hopes of a successful jockeys’ championship defence with a stunning quintet at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (3 March) to capitalise on Joao Moreira’s suspension.

4.00PM

Tue 2nd Mar 2021

Savaquin on BMW Hong Kong Derby trial as John Size and Zac Purton unite in a rare collaboration

By Leo Schlink
Already armed with an imposing BMW Hong Kong Derby arsenal, John Size could add to an impressive fleet of Classic contenders when Savaquin (133lb) contests the first section of Class 3 Canal Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (3 March).

6.40AM

Mon 1st Mar 2021

Classique Legend passes early test with Conghua trial win

By Leo Schlink
Classique Legend has taken a small - but significant – step towards returning to competition with a soft trial win at Conghua on Monday (1 March).

6.20AM

Sun 28th Feb 2021

Silver Express emerges as BMW Hong Kong Derby hope

By Leo Schlink
Joao Moreira insists Silver Express warrants a tilt at the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) next month after the grey forged into Classic calculations with runaway success in today’s (Sunday, 28 February) Class 3 Tai Mei Tuk Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin.

11.40AM

Fri 26th Feb 2021

Charity Fun to test BMW Hong Kong Derby credentials at Sha Tin

By Leo Schlink
Karis Teetan is optimistic lightly-raced Charity Fun can advance potential BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hopes with victory in the Class 3 Tai Po Kau Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 February) and surge into calculations for next month’s Classic.

6.40AM

Thu 25th Feb 2021

Hong Kong dream for Ruan Maia who joins Moreira, Borges

By Declan Schuster
Brazilian jockeys have made waves in Hong Kong in recent years and Ruan Maia is looking forward to rising to the challenge when his licence to ride in races commences this Sunday, 28 February at Sha Tin.

8.20AM

Wed 24th Feb 2021

Grateful Heart wins DBS x Manulife Million Challenge

By Leo Schlink
Grateful Heart has been crowned DBS x Manulife Million Challenge champion, leaving Danny Shum to revel in a third victory in the lucrative Happy Valley series in six years.

4.20PM

Tue 23rd Feb 2021

Aethero pleases Fownes, Classique Legend continues to progress

By Declan Schuster
Gun sprinter Aethero pleased trainer Caspar Fownes at Sha Tin this morning (Tuesday, 23 February) as he ramped up his preparation toward a return to the races.

9.20AM

Scores Of Fun wins at Happy Valley last week.

Grateful Heart, Scores Of Fun bid for DBS x Manulife Million Challenge glory

7.00AM

Sun 21st Feb 2021

Healthy Happy lands Hong Kong Classic Cup to remain strongly in BMW Hong Kong Derby contention

By Leo Schlink
An inspired Alexis Badel capitalised fully on Frankie Lor’s generosity to snare the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) as Healthy Happy underlined BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) claims with a dramatic victory.

11.40AM

Golden Sixty wins his third consecutive Group 1.

Golden Sixty extends unbeaten sequence to 13 with Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup triumph

11.40AM

Waikuku wins the G1 Queens’ Silver Jubilee Cup.

Waikuku steams to G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup victory as John Size reaches the 1300-win milestone

10.20AM

Fri 19th Feb 2021

Chilean triple G1 winner Panfield out to put BMW Hong Kong Derby credentials on the line

By Declan Schuster
Excellent Proposal’s rousing Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victory set the benchmark for this year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and while the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) this Sunday (21 February) will paint a clearer picture for next month’s HK$24 million event, there is still sufficient time for a contender to emerge from the shadows with four weeks to go until the Four-Year-Old Classic Series’ third and final leg.

6.40AM

Thu 18th Feb 2021

Southern Legend primed for Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, Aethero’s back in work

By Declan Schuster
Nearly a year ago, Southern Legend proved that he can still run rings around his younger adversaries - and the best in Hong Kong - as he sensationally denied Beauty Generation a third consecutive G1 FWD Champions Mile at the age of seven.

6.40AM

Wed 17th Feb 2021

Zac Purton plots a G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup upset on Exultant

By Leo Schlink
Declaring Golden Sixty the equal of the most outstanding milers in recent Hong Kong history, Zac Purton has warned against being too conscious of the glamour galloper in Sunday’s G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

5.00AM

Tue 16th Feb 2021

Vincent Ho unfazed by return to 2000m as Golden Sixty chases third G1 and 13th consecutive victory

By Leo Schlink
Bracing for a return to 2000m for the first time since the 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday (21 February), Golden Sixty is primed to reproduce his best as he bids for a 13th successive victory, according to regular rider Vincent Ho.

7.40AM

Derek Leung has 334 Hong Kong wins to his name.

‘Confidence’ the key as Derek Leung targets personal best

7.20AM

Sun 14th Feb 2021

Tony Cruz and Matthew Chadwick combine with Beauty Smile to win Chinese New Year Cup

By Leo Schlink
Tony Cruz maintains Beauty Smile is still a work in progress after the Irish import’s dominant performance to claim the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m) with the four-year-old impressively eclipsing older and more accomplished opposition.

11.40AM

Wed 10th Feb 2021

Moreira boosts lead in jockeys’ championship over Zac Purton to 30 with another treble

By Leo Schlink
Joao Moreira has extended his lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ premiership with another display of dominance, notching a Happy Valley treble to lead reigning champion Zac Purton by 30 winners – 89 to 59.

4.00PM

Tue 9th Feb 2021

Season 2020/21, milestones and the emergence of a new hero

By Declan Schuster
The first half of the 2020/21 Hong Kong racing season is in the bag, 44 race meetings to be exact, crammed with milestones and magic moments, as well as the emergence of a new equine monarch, the brilliant Golden Sixty.

9.41AM

Golden Sixty is a 15-time winner from 16 starts.

Golden Sixty on course for second leg of Triple Crown after soft Sha Tin trial effort

7.20AM

Stock Legend is shooting for a hat-trick of wins.

Joao Moreira looks to Stock Legend to continue extraordinary season

6.20AM

Sat 6th Feb 2021

Derek Leung stars at Sha Tin with a treble as The Rock takes Saturday’s feature

By Leo Schlink
Celebrating his first treble in almost a year, Derek Leung identified the virtues of hard work and vital stable support after taking riding honours at Sha Tin on Saturday (6 February).

11.00AM

Fri 5th Feb 2021

BMW Hong Kong Derby hopes hinge on Sea Of Life’s continued progress

By Leo Schlink
Vincent Ho is confident a BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) tilt remains within Sea Of Life’s grasp as the emerging talent prepares to face a formidable double challenge in the Class 2 Yuen Long Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (6 February).

7.00AM

Wed 3rd Feb 2021

Grateful Heart - imposing lead in the HK$1 million series

By Leo Schlink
Happy Valley sprint specialist Grateful Heart has built an almost impregnable buffer in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge after a fourth victory at the city circuit propelled the Australian import to an imposing lead in the HK$1 million series.

3.40PM

Tue 2nd Feb 2021

Blinkers on as Whyte looks to reignite Inner Flame at Happy Valley

By Declan Schuster
Inner Flame worked in first-time blinkers at Sha Tin last Thursday (28 January) morning and trainer Douglas Whyte is pinning his hopes on not only the headgear but a change of scenery to reignite the lightly-raced gelding’s career as he makes his Happy Valley debut in the first section of the Class 3 Lai Chi Kok Handicap (1200m) tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3 February).

8.03AM

Sun 31st Jan 2021

Matthew Poon and Francis Lui combine with Glorious Dragon to snare Centenary Vase Handicap

By Leo Schlink
Glorious Dragon has avenged defeat in the 2020 G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) by denying Exultant a third win in the staying feature while delivering Matthew Poon one of the most important triumphs of his career.

11.21AM

Fri 29th Jan 2021

Zac Purton hopeful Exultant can strike for a third time in the G3 Centenary Vase

By Leo Schlink
Zac Purton is hopeful Exultant can reprise a winning habit in the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (31 January) despite concerns Tony Cruz’s staying flagbearer’s elite qualities are in decline.

5.20AM

Thu 28th Jan 2021

Caspar Fownes begins the journey towards staying features with promising Columbus County

By Leo Schlink
Revitalised by a brief spell, emerging talent Columbus County will throw down the gauntlet to Hong Kong’s premier stayers in the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (31 January) as Caspar Fownes plots an ambitious path.

6.20AM

Tue 26th Jan 2021

Red-hot Moreira looks to keep on rolling at Happy Valley’s midweek fixture

By Declan Schuster
Fresh off Group 1 success and a treble on Sunday (24 January) at Sha Tin, Hong Kong’s leading jockey Joao Moreira is looking to keep his momentum rolling in his bid for a fourth jockeys’ championship.

7.41AM

Sun 24th Jan 2021

Golden Sixty extends winning streak to 12 by claiming second career G1 scalp in the Stewards’ Cup

By Leo Schlink
Not even a slipped saddle and muddling tempo were enough to halt Golden Sixty’s burgeoning winning streak as the Hong Kong superstar posted a dramatic 12th successive victory after scrambling to narrow triumph in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

11.20AM

Hot King Prawn wins his first G1, landing the Centenary Sprint Cup.

Hot King Prawn lands elusive G1 with Centenary Sprint Cup triumph

11.00AM

Sat 23rd Jan 2021

Christophe Soumillon eyes G1 Centenary Sprint Cup with Wishful Thinker

By Declan Schuster
Christophe Soumillon has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to add another Group 1 in Hong Kong to his impressive haul and tomorrow (24 January) at Sha Tin he gets his chance when he reunites with familiar ally Wishful Thinker in the first of two top-level contests on the 10-race fixture, the HK$12 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m).

3.43AM

Fri 22nd Jan 2021

Birthday boy Francis Lui looks forward to a weekend of extended celebrations as Golden Sixty makes his return

By Leo Schlink
Francis Lui is hoping for a belated birthday celebration on Sunday (24 January) after watching Hong Kong star Golden Sixty breeze through his final piece of trackwork ahead of a much-anticipated competitive return in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin.

9.01AM

Frankie Lor won all three legs of the 2019 Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Lor readies strong contingent of young guns for Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Mile fixture

7.41AM