Chung’s perseverance the key to success after apprentice’s bright start to Hong Kong racing career

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Angus Chung Yik-lai is fully focused as he races down the home straight. He gives the best of himself in every race and knows that the winning margin is often measured by split seconds in this most competitive of sports.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Chung started riding professionally after receiving his apprentice jockey licence from the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the start of the 2022/23 racing season. The awarding of the permit followed a training period of six years, of which two and a half were spent training and racing in Australia.

During his first year of professional riding, the talented 26-year-old accumulated 31 wins from 435 races – an enviable record for any jockey in their first year in Hong Kong, let alone an apprentice. This is even more remarkable given that Chung does not hail from a racing background. 

He previously worked in football for a living – coaching children in the sport – but soon realised that the job did not suit him. In the summer of 2017, Chung came across the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Racing Trainee Programme. The athletic Chung decided to give it a try.

Chung recalls the first time he sat in a saddle, only to feel embarrassed by his awkward riding technique. He had a strong desire to be better, though, and was determined to learn to ride well, so he joined the Racing Trainee Programme. 

Soon, he would find out just how demanding the programme was. At the break of dawn, along with the other students, he began his day with morning exercises. That was followed by more physical work as they headed to the stables. They wouldn’t call it a day until after their classes, which equipped them with knowledge related to horse racing. 

There are some similarities between racing and football. Both are partnership sports; on a football pitch, a footballer works with his teammates. It is essential to develop a strong sense of rapport between one another. In horse racing, meanwhile, the connection comes with the horse and a jockey learns to feel the horse’s emotions. A jockey calms a horse when it feels agitated ahead of a race and gives it an extra push when vying for positions during a race.

The Racing Trainee Programme is a comprehensive course providing opportunities for young people interested in developing careers in horse racing. It offers horse-riding units through the well-established Apprentice Jockeys’ School and teaches students various skills, including stable management, financial management and more traditional academic subjects.

While physical training is routine for the students, English language learning is also a regular feature for the young men and women enrolled. Top jockeys are in high demand on the international racing stage, and it pays to be well equipped with the right communication skills.

Not all graduates of the programme become jockeys like Chung. Based on their aspirations, individuals can choose to work in other roles the industry offers, be it in the stable, on the racecourse and beyond.

Chung was committed to being a jockey relatively early in the programme. Those around him were impressed by his hard work and determination. In 2019, Chung earned himself an opportunity to train in Australia. But, though a great opportunity, that wasn’t without its own challenges. 

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a degree of chaos to Australia’s racing industry, and trial races virtually stopped. For an apprentice jockey like Chung, trial races represent the prerequisite for admission into a racecourse. Visa issues further complicated his situation.

However, Chung knew he had the Apprentice Jockeys’ School’s support. As the dust settled, his journey in Australia went more smoothly. He furthered his racing career, spending two and a half years in Australia, earning himself a deserved reputation as an up-and-coming apprentice. 

Chung returned to his home city and joined Tony Cruz’s stable after completing his stint in Australia. It was far from a smooth transition, however. He noted on his return that Hong Kong racing was  “much faster and more intense” and that the city’s dedicated racing fans are always prepared to make their feelings known at the racecourse.

Understanding that the pressure associated with racing is part of the equation, Chung embraces it. “This pressure makes me want to prove myself even more,” he said. He knows from experience he can always rely on the School’s support. He is thankful for school headmistress Amy Chan and instructor Felix Coetzee – the latter a highly respected former jockey himself – for everything they do towards allowing him to put all his focus into giving his best effort in every race.

Hong Kong is a stage where some of the world’s biggest races are held, and the talented apprentice looks forward, in time, to participating in some of the most celebrated Group races on the calendar. This summer, he will stay focused on improving himself in every possible aspect, while allowing himself a little down-time after a challenging first season in Hong Kong. 

As a former footballer, Chung keeps an eye on the returning Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit and appreciates the support the Club gave for football development in Hong Kong during his days as a coach. 

This year, the Manchester United Academy Under-16 team will participate in training sessions, friendly matches, and cultural activities with its counterpart in Hong Kong. They will also play against the Hong Kong, China Under-18 Representative Team, and the Hong Kong, China Youth Select Team on August 9 and 12, respectively.