The Jockey Club plans to sponsor a “high-grade China speed racing competition with properly registered competing horses” after signing a supplemental framework cooperation agreement with the Chinese Equestrian Association (CEA).
The deal expands the scope of a strategic collaboration between the Jockey Club and the CEA that was initially outlined in a framework agreement signed in 2020, with the club committing to support the CEA’s endeavours in developing “a tailor-made programme designed to meet the needs of the Chinese equestrian industry” until at least 2028.
The deal will also see the Jockey Club “provide technical advice on industry standards in the speed racing industry in the mainland through its participation in the CEA Racing Committee” and offer workshops to upskill participants, while also working with relevant associations to support the equestrian industry in the Greater Bay Area.
“We are delighted to sign the supplemental agreement with the CEA to strengthen our ongoing partnership. The National Equine Industry Development Plan [NEIDP], jointly promulgated by the General Administration of Sport and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, provides a blueprint for a robust, high-quality equine industry in the country,” said Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
“Through joining hands with the CEA in this agreement, we are confident that it will bring considerable benefits to the mainland’s equine industry and help realise the goals and aspirations outlined in the NEIDP.
“The enhanced collaboration with the CEA attests to the club’s long-standing commitment to the country’s development. We look forward to working with CEA colleagues to further strengthen the national equine industry and showcasing China’s good stories around the world.”
The Jockey Club held one pre-pandemic race meeting at its racecourse in Conghua and plans to race more regularly at the facility from 2026.
Griffin Glory for Lui
There was no dream debut for Ellis Wong Chi-wang at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the apprentice finishing fourth aboard $1.6 favourite Kaholo Angel with his only ride on the card in the Carnation Plate (1,000m) for Griffins.
After leading early, Kaholo Angel faded to finish four lengths off winner Chancheng Glory, with connections of fifth placegetter Super Bonus lodging an objection – which was thrown out – after Kaholo Angel shifted in late.
Chancheng Glory finished strongly to salute at $11 on debut, with trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai pleased to see his three-year-old deliver after going into the race unsure what to expect.
“He was sweating before he was loaded into the gates. I don’t know if he was nervous or he just wanted to run. Some horses just want to run and they can get stirred up a little bit,” Lui said.
Lui went onto complete a double later on the card, taking out the Class Four Lotus Handicap (1,400m) with All Is Good.
On a day where Vincent Ho Chak-yiu took the riding honours with a four-timer and John Size led the way for the trainers with a treble, jockeys Zac Purton and Matthew Chadwick and handler Caspar Fownes joined Lui in enjoying doubles.
After taking out the second section of the Class Four Dandelion Handicap (1,200m) aboard Super Highway, Chadwick continued his fruitful association with the Chris So Wai-yin-trained Flying High.
The five-year-old’s success in the Class Three Magnolia Handicap (1,000m) was his third in a row and fourth for the season in partnership with Chadwick.
Moreira’s magic Group One double
He was wowing the Sha Tin crowd a week ago, and on Saturday, four-time Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira delighted his fans at home with a Group One double in Sao Paulo.
The Brazilian snared the Grande Premio A.B.C.P.C.C (1,000m) aboard Oriana Do Iguassu and the Grande Premio O.S.A.F (2,000m) with Kenlova at Cidade Jardim as he continues a global farewell tour that saw him taste elite-level success in Australia last month.
Not long after the Magic Man’s big-race brace, the galloper he won aboard at Sha Tin last weekend notched a double of his own with his second victory in the space of a week.
On the quick backup after winning under Moreira over the Sha Tin 2,000m on Champions Day, Packing Hurricane showed his versatility by taking out Sunday’s Class Three Freesia Handicap (2,000m) under Harry Bentley on the first soft track Hong Kong has seen since May 20, 2015.
“It’s obviously very soft, but the horses are going through it well. It’s not holding or sticky ground,” Bentley said after the fourth race of 11.
“It just takes a horse that suits the conditions to act on it. [Packing Hurricane] had a very light weight, and when the rain really came, I thought it would throw him in with bit more of a chance. I thought he would go on the ground, with the light weight as a big advantage, and it all went to plan.”
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