As a jockey, we want to try and get on the best horses that have the most chance to win a race, but this isn’t always possible. Sometimes you will be approached by a trainer or an owner to commit to a ride [a horse that does not necessarily have the highest chance of winning] beforehand. As a trainer, we always try to book the most suitable jockeys to ride a particular horse in an upcoming race, but jockeys too will sometimes approach us early on to try and secure the ride. 

If I could pick all the horses I wanted to train, it would be an absolute dream come true, but that isn’t always how racing works, so you have to always do your best with the horses you have, and try to get every horse to perform to the best of their ability. Looking back at some of the amazing horses I have trained in my career, I can only say that I feel blessed.

With every new horse that comes to my yard, I assess their physical and mental state, and programme their training schedule according to their needs to make sure they are well-conditioned to reach the peak of their performance.

Safety is always the number one concern for everyone involved in the racing industry. It may not look like it on television, but this is still a very dangerous sport, and if not conducted properly, can have very serious consequences.

As a jockey, preparation for the race starts long before you actually get up on the horse. It’s the lifestyle you choose, the discipline and sacrifice you make to ensure that you are in the best condition physically and mentally to win. As a trainer, of course the physical requirements don’t compare to when I was a jockey, but mentally, you have to be just as tough, if not more.

Building a strong relationship with the horses I train comes quite naturally considering I am around them all the time— as is the same with humans, I suppose, when you spend so much time together. You are able to observe and understand more about the horse, see how they progress or react to the training—and that leads to a deeper understanding and a stronger relationship.

The biggest misconception people have about jockeys is that all jockeys are very, very short [laughs]. Maybe also that jockeys live a glamorous, celebrity-style life. Most people only see jockeys on race days, so they may not realise the commitment, dedication and sacrifice it takes to be a jockey.

Over the years, the racing industry in Hong Kong has attracted the best jockeys, trainers and racing professionals from around the world. The level of competitiveness only increases every year. We have seen immense changes and upgrades in the facilities since the days when I first started out as an apprentice, and this is thanks to the club’s focus on making sure Hong Kong racing stays at the highest level.

The most memorable moment of my career as a jockey was perhaps the first time I won the Hong Kong Derby back in 1983 on [legendary horse] Co-Tack. It was a very special year for me because that is when I also married my wonderful wife Paulene. As a trainer, I would have to say it was when Silent Witness broke the world record after his 17th consecutive win. These were two magical moments from different stages of my career that I will never forget.

My advice to someone interested in pursuing a career in racing is that Hong Kong’s racing industry is highly competitive, whether for a jockey, trainer or vet. You have to always be very focused and dedicated to your profession and have the discipline to do it day-in and day-out.

As for which jockey I admire most, I think one obvious choice I have to mention would be the British racing legend Lester Piggot, a legendary jockey who rode almost to the age of 60—almost unheard of for a jockey. It’s an amazing feat and I am most definitely envious of that.

I haven’t given much thought to retirement yet. Thankfully, I am still fit and healthy, and there are still many things I want to achieve, so I guess we’ll just see how things go.

Hong Kong racing speaks for itself. With so much success both locally and overseas, and at the highest level, Hong Kong racing has really made its mark on the global stage. I would love to see more local jockeys and trainers continue to carry this mantle, competing at the highest level to make Hong Kong racing, and its many supporters, proud.

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