Latest news with #HongKongJockeyClub
New Paper
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Mo lands first Group success with Pray For Mir in Lion Rock Trophy
HONG KONG - Cody Mo celebrated a breakthrough at Sha Tin on May 31, as lightweight chance Pray For Mir gave the Hong Kong trainer his first Group success in the HK$4.2 million (S$690,000) Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1,600m). Following the 47-year-old's record of 20 wins in his first campaign in 2023/24, Mo - who boasts a 68-horse stable of fresh talent and seasoned gallopers - has excelled in 2024/25 with 38 successes. "This is one of my targets for the season. Now, a dream has come true. I'm so happy - thanks to all my staff and the owners for their support," said Mo. Mo, who previously worked with legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, started his journey with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1994 as a work rider. He gained experience with David Ferraris and Benno Yung and, while with Cruz, he campaigned champion gallopers Silent Witness and Bullish Luck successfully abroad. One of three four-year-olds in the Lion Rock Trophy, Pray For Mir (Matthew Chadwick) quickly found the front from barrier 8 to make the running while Red Lion (Hugh Bowman) and Chancheng Glory (Luke Ferraris) settled behind the leader. Turning for home, Pray For Mir ($44) maintained his front spot as Chancheng Glory levelled up with him. Chadwick called on his mount at the 250m mark and Pray For Mir extended to win by ½ length over Chancheng Glory. Group 1 winner Beauty Eternal (James Orman) finished third. The winning time was 1min 33.83sec for the 1,600m on the turf. "He's (Pray For Mir) always been very honest, he just gets beat, unfortunately. The weight really helped today," said Chadwick. "He was left alone and he relaxed really well and when the other one (Chancheng Glory) put it to him, he just kept fighting and his quality just shone through." Consistent all season with one win and five placings, the son of Justify enhanced his earnings to HK$9.43 million from 15 starts in Hong Kong after arriving as a two-time winner from Sunshine Coast, Australia. "Today, Chadwick controlled the pace very well and the horse carried a light weight. At the end of the season, all the horses were maybe a bit tired and I kept him a bit fresh," said Mo. "He is a very honest horse. You can see he has so many seconds and only loses by a little bit. "We (Mo and Chadwick) have very good communication. This season, I have really been supporting local jockeys and I'm happy that we could win a Group 3 together." Mo and Chadwick have combined for 10 wins in 2024/25. The duo worked closely when Chadwick was apprenticed to Cruz, during which Mo worked as his work rider and assistant trainer. "We go way back when we were both training in Tony's stable and we've come through the ranks together, and it's great to be part of this with him," said Mo. Thriving in the absence of the world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express was rewarded for a season of remarkable consistency with deserved victory in the other feature race, the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1,200m). After finishing second five times and third twice to Ka Ying Rising in seven starts this campaign, Helios Express ($10) - ridden by Bowman - scrambled to a short-head victory over Invincible Sage, with Patch Of Theta 1¾ lengths away in third. Winning trainer John Size has also edged closer to a 13th Hong Kong trainers' championship at Sha Tin after wrapping up the day with a double. The Australian handler took his 2024/25 tally to 60, with a seven-win buffer over compatriot David Hayes (53) with 12 meetings left in the season. Besides Helios Express, Size also struck with Masterofmyuniverse ($7) as the talented gelding made it two successive wins with a slender victory in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Tai Wai Handicap (1,200m). Ridden by Zac Purton, Masterofmyuniverse speared through a narrow gap before denying Infinite Resolve by a nose to claim his fourth win in nine starts. HKJC
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Romantic Warrior injury detailed after his welcome home ceremony was scrapped
The champion is joint second with fellow Hong Kong horse Ka Ying Rising in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. However Romantic Warrior will not be able to race at the moment due to injury Superstar Romantic Warrior has been found to have an injury after a welcome home ceremony for the horse was scrapped. The event at Sha Tin on Sunday, when fans were set to pay tribute to his achievements, was called off after potential changes in one of the horse's joints were detected. The Hong Kong Jockey Club's veterinary records have now been updated to show the earner of £21million of prize money has a left fore fetlock injury. The diagnosis comes more than month after Romantic Warrior was pipped to the post by Soul Rush in the Dubai Turf at Meydan. Danny Shum's trainee was in front until virtually the last stride but he came up agonisingly short in a bid for yet another Group One. 'He's had a long campaign. He ran his heart out,' jockey James McDonald said afterwards. Romantic Warrior was running for the first time since he suffered another narrow defeat to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup. But despite the star horse's recent losses, he still has legions of fans who were hoping to see their champion, jockey James McDonald and connections in Sha Tin's parade ring at the weekend. But an update from the HKJC said: "The Club's Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy Department have provided advice on Romantic Warrior that the Club wishes to share with his many fans. 'Romantic Warrior is currently spelling following his return from his races in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The horse has returned to Hong Kong presenting extremely well and has not exhibited any signs of lameness or any other clinical issues. 'Nevertheless, consistent with the Club's world-class procedures for the care of our racehorses, a detailed physical examination has been carried out, including imaging using our veterinary hospital's state-of-the-art equipment. 'This proactive screening has enabled a very early detection of some potential changes in one of the horse's joints. As a consequence of this systematic approach to ensuring horse welfare a management plan has been developed that will ensure that Romantic Warrior has an extremely good prognosis of such changes being fully addressed. 'Whilst Romantic Warrior would not face any risk from the planned ceremony to welcome his return to Hong Kong the Club nevertheless believes that the ceremony is not a priority and so it will not be held." Since 2021, Romantic Warrior has won 18 races, including ten at the highest level on a variety of surfaces and tracks. His record includes three editions of the Hong Kong and FWD QEII Cups, the 2024 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and top flight successes in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. 'Romantic Warrior just a very good racehorse and he adapts to any circumstances during a race, to any pace and has a good turn of foot," McDonald said after Romantic Warrior's most recent strike in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in January. "He's a very strong-minded horse, He could be a sprinter, that's how fast he is."
RTHK
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Array of events to mark Year of the Horse: HKJC CEO
Array of events to mark Year of the Horse: HKJC CEO The Hong Kong Jockey Club wants to further boost its entertainment capability to draw tourists. File photo: RTHK The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) said it is looking to further up the international ante by not only consolidating its world-class racing status, but also boosting its entertainment capacity to make Hong Kong one of Asia's most vibrant destinations. He added that an exciting lineup of events are in the pipeline to mark the Year of the Horse next year. Earlier this month, the HKJC announced a massive partnership initiative with entertainment brand XIX Entertainment. Its founder, Simon Fuller, is the man behind pop group Spice Girls, and popular show American Idol. The Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, told RTHK's Backchat programme on Thursday that the move is essential in helping the Club boost its entertainment capability. "We think we're perfect when it comes to horse-racing and sport, but when you venture into the entertainment field, you have to have a partner who has the same global expertise and vision we have, and this is Simon Fuller, when you look at his CV and XIX Entertainment," he said. "And he [Simon Fuller] loves Hong Kong - he's one of the biggest advocates of Hong Kong." Engelbrecht-Bresges said the HKJC is looking to strengthen its status as an internationally-recognised sports and entertainment body by, for example, partnering with other global horse racing brands like Royal Ascot and Breeders Cup. "We see next year's unique opportunity with the Year of the Horse... and we want to use this as a real platform for a global brand campaign - how we position Hong Kong, how we create more entertainment-based sport events in Hong Kong around horse racing and equestrian,' he added.
South China Morning Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The "Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World" exhibition targets to run in Hong Kong in 2026
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Advertisement The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Palace Museum have signed a landmark Memorandum of Cooperation titled 'Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong'. The five-year collaboration aligns with the Central Government's vision as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims to position Hong Kong as an East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange. Through architectural models, detailed reconstructions and digitally immersive historical recreations, the exhibition vividly demonstrates the design philosophy behind the Forbidden City's imperial gardens. Visitors can also explore classical Chinese gardens through this exhibition, such as Suzhou's Dinghui Temple Garden; and Qianlong Garden; as well as foreign gardens including Pompeian villa gardens in Italy, the Versailles' garden in France and Edo-period Japanese Gardens. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum) Key initiatives The initiative also aims to nurture arts technology and cultural talent, laying a solid foundation for innovation and creativity in this sector. The Memorandum outlines several key initiatives aimed at achieving its ambitious goals. Among them is the restoration of the historic Chengqiangong at the Palace Museum and the subsequent creation of The Palace Museum Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Hub. This hub will serve as a vibrant platform for cultural interaction, featuring the thematic exhibitions on the role of horses in history and palace culture, and exchanges between emerging arts tech talents from Hong Kong and the Mainland. The partnership also includes touring exhibitions in Beijing and Hong Kong, alongside educational activities that foster cross-cultural understanding. To engage younger audiences, digital exhibitions and pop-up events will present innovative ways to connect with Chinese history and culture. Mobile digital exhibitions will further extend outreach to schools across Hong Kong and the Mainland, instilling an appreciation of shared heritage and values among students. Advertisement Capacity building is another focus, with efforts to nurture emerging arts tech talents in Hong Kong and the Mainland, cultivating a skilled and dynamic community in the field. Knowledge dissemination and educational initiatives, such as forums, archaeological research, and documentaries, will also broaden the global reach of Chinese culture.
Daily Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
World Pool to showcase Queensland winter carnival to globe
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Queensland winter carnival will be showcased to extra global viewers, with Doomben set to play host to World Pool meetings for the first time as part of a wider portfolio across three Group 1 race days. Last year's winter carnival was the first time the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool featured in Queensland, with races from the Sunshine State beamed internationally and punters betting into a supercharged international parimutuel wagering pool. It was an immediate success, with Queensland Derby Day at Eagle Farm combining with the Epsom Derby Day in the UK to set a then-record wagering turnover, with 12 races across the two race days generating $HK385.2 million (approx. $A74.2m). • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In 2025, Doomben will be part of the World Pool schedule for the first time with selected races on Saturday's Group 1 Doomben 10,000 card and the following Saturday's Group 1 Doomben Cup meeting included. The races on both Doomben 10,000 and Doomben Cup days will create international double events alongside black-type racing from Newbury (UK) and The Curragh (Ireland) respectively. Stradbroke Handicap Day will stand alone as the only World Pool fixture on June 14. Stefi Magnetica holds off her rivals to win last year's Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography • Doomben 10,000 field: Jockey confirmed for Schwarz The trio of meetings will form a total of nine races broadcast live to Hong Kong audiences and form one international parimutuel wagering pool for racing fans across the globe. 'World Pool is the most powerful vehicle we have to showcase Queensland racing to a truly global audience,' Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo said. 'This year, nine of our premier races will be beamed into more than 25 jurisdictions and viewed by millions of punters and racing fans worldwide. 'We're grateful to HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and his team for their ongoing support in elevating Stradbroke Season to the global stage through World Pool. • Melbourne Cup hero likely to miss Qld winter carnival 'Our partnership with the HKJC continues to grow, and we're proud to reach a major milestone with Doomben included in the World Pool schedule for the first time – a significant achievement for our club and our state.' 'World Pool delivers enormous benefits through global wagering liquidity, unprecedented international exposure, and stronger collaboration between racing jurisdictions.' World Pool race footage for international viewers will be provided by BRC's media rights partner, Sky Racing. Originally published as Beefed-up World Pool presence to showcase Queensland winter carnival to globe
