Focus Asia

A record-breaking season for Hong Kong

With the final meeting of the campaign having been run on Sunday, this Hong Kong season was all about records. Lots of them, and tumbling.  From Zac Purton’s much vaunted record-breaking campaign in the saddle, to John Size claiming a record 12th trainers’ title, while in the equine department Deep Field (Northern Meteor) smashed his... Read More

Ascot looks east for royal runners

With their showpiece royal meeting on the horizon, Ascot’s Nick Smith expressed his pleasure at the number and quality of Australian horses heading north in a bid to prize the two Group 1 sprints back Down Under.  Next on Smith’s list to entice? The best from Japan.  “One of the top priorities is to establish... Read More

Depleted Hong Kong jockey ranks sees opportunities arise

The medically enforced hiatus of two of Hong Kong’s leading riders may be a hammer blow early in the city’s racing season, but it has also opened up an opportunity for others to potentially emerge as championship contenders for the upcoming term and beyond. Four-time champion jockey Joao Moreira and Mauritian rider Karis Teetan, long... Read More

Newcomers Ng and Chung strike immediate impact

Freshman Hong Kong trainer Pierre Ng and new apprentice Angus Chung have both made a successful start to their tenures in the jurisdiction, recording winners within the first week of the new racing season in the city. Ng, a Hong Kong blueblood as the son of one of the city’s longest-serving trainers Peter Ng, had... Read More

Hong Kong winners boost New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale

The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale received a timely boost after its catalogue was released last week when graduates Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse), Good Luck Friend (Swiss Ace) and Gallant Crown (Hallowed Crown) all won at the opening meeting of the Hong Kong season on Sunday. A healthy crowd welcomed back racing at Sha... Read More

Korea shines on biggest domestic raceday

The Korean breeding industry is considered to be one of the rising stars of the global game and a red letter day in Seoul on Sunday did little to dampen that notion as they took on challengers from all corners of the world and came out on top. The Korea Cup (Gr 3, 1800m) and... Read More