Focus Asia
Deep Bond heads into Foy test as Japan winds up for another Arc
Deep Bond (Kizuna) will launch this year’s instalment of Japan’s decades-long quest for an elusive victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) when he races on French turf for the first time in the Prix Foy (Gr 2, 2400m) at Longchamp on Sunday. The Ryuji Okubo-trained galloper has been lodging at... Read More
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Purton looks to bolster connections as Hong Kong racing returns
The entries are out for Sha Tin on Sunday, marking the end of a seven-week summer break and the beginning of another relentless cycle that will run through 88 race meetings, yield huge turnover, produce fascinating sport as well as behind-the-scenes drama – the odd controversy, too, no doubt – and hopefully deliver an authentic... Read More
Joao Moreira calls on the HKJC to improve its athlete wellbeing provisions
Hong Kong’s four-time champion jockey Joao Moreira has revealed to Asia Bloodstock News that he suffered from depression when struggling through the latter part of the 2019-20 season and has called on the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to match the efforts of progressive jurisdictions around the world in its approach to elite athlete mental... Read More
Vincent Ho readies for the Hong Kong season off another ‘Covid summer’
The start of the Hong Kong season is a week and a half away and Vincent Ho is re-engaging with the daily routines around Sha Tin as he looks forward to what he hopes will be another big campaign in tandem with Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro). Ho has been “back at work” for the past... Read More
Hong Kong trainers welcome PP import ratings change
Champion trainer Caspar Fownes has welcomed the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s recent change which sees horses imported into Hong Kong on a Private Purchase (PP) permit given a five-point lower initial rating than was the case previously. “I’ve been talking about this for years, so to finally see it come to fruition is outstanding,” Fownes... Read More
Hong Kong Jockey Club gives response to rider wellbeing concerns
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has responded to Joao Moreira’s call for better mental wellbeing support for jockeys but stopped short of acknowledging any shortcomings on its part or detailing what its current provision includes. Andrew Harding, the HKJC’s executive director of racing, sent an emailed statement to Asia Bloodstock News in response to a... Read More