Who are the most successful horse racing trainers in Hong Kong?

Horse Racing is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong, with an extensive racing history dating back to 1841. Today, horse racing is a major industry in Hong Kong, contributing over HK$20 billion to the city’s economy each year. The largest in the world, at 1.3 billion ($170 million), is the turnover per race.

There are currently two major horse racing venues in Hong Kong: Sha Tin Racecourse, and Happy Valley Racecourse. Some of the most successful horse racing trainers in Hong Kong include:

Caspar Fownes

Caspar Fownes is one of the most successful horse racing trainers in Hong Kong. He gained his license in 2003/2004. Fownes has trained some of the most successful horses in Hong Kong, including The Duke, Green Birdie, and Lucky Nine. His stable has won the Hong Kong trainers’ championship four times, in 2006/2007, 2008/2009, 2013/14, and 2020/21. More than any other professional Hong Kong-based trainer, Fownes is renowned for his success at Happy Valley, where he has amassed 518 career victories. His win percentage is 7.82%

John Size

Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame in 2018, John Size is among the most outstanding racehorse trainers in Hong Kong’s history. Before moving to Hong Kong in 2001, John Size was a renowned horse trainer in Sydney with a track record for developing and rekindling the spirit in his horses. He had trained 1257 winners in Hong Kong by the end of the 2019–20 season, placing him just behind Tony Cruz with 1294 and John Moore with 1735. His win percentage is even higher than Fownes, at 12.8%

John Moore

John Moore is one of the most successful and respected horse trainers in Hong Kong. As his father’s assistant, John Moore started working in Hong Kong racing in 1971. John Moore obtained his trainer’s license in 1985 and established a very lucrative career in Hong Kong. In 2005, Moore broke Brian Kan’s record for the most career victories by a trainer in Hong Kong racing. He won the Hong Kong Trainers Premiership 5 times. His career number of winners increased to 1,400, with the 55 he saddled in 2013–2014.

Tony Cruz

Former Champion Thoroughbred racing jockey Anthony Stephen da Cruz is a well-known horse trainer. Cruz began riding during the 1973–74 campaign. He then won 946 races while riding for him, becoming Hong Kong’s premier jockey six times. He is the second-highest prize money earner in Hong Kong history. His win percentage is 11.39.

Other Popular Hong Kong Horse Racing Trainers

Among the list of most successful horse racing trainers in Hong Kong are Frankie Lor, Danny Shum, Francis Lui, Doug Whyte, Me Tsui, David Hall, Dennis Yip, Chris So, Benno Yung, Ricky Yiu, Jimmy ting, David Hayes, Tony Millard, Manfred Man, Paul O’Sullivan, David Ferraris, and Richard Gibson.

How many horse trainers are there in Hong Kong?

There are currently 24 active and licensed horse trainers in Hong Kong. Without a license from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, no trainer is permitted to train racehorses in Hong Kong.

Who owns the HK jockey Club?

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit organisation currently owned by The Hong Kong SAR Government. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a limited liability corporation. It has no investors. The Club manages horse racing in Hong Kong and offers legal lottery and sports betting services as permitted by the government.

What is the turnover for horse racing in Hong Kong?

The turnover for horse racing in Hong Kong is 1.3 billion ($170 million). This makes it the largest horse racing industry in the world.

Where do horses train in Hong Kong?

There are four major horse racing venues in Hong Kong: Sha Tin Racecourse, Happy Valley Racecourse, Beas River Racecourse, and Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course. There are also several minor training tracks located throughout the city. Hong Kong’s thoroughbred racehorses are trained at the top-notch Hong Kong Jockey Club Conghua Racecourse. Sha Tin Racecourse has served as the exclusive stable and training facility for horses from Hong Kong since the late 1970s.

In Hong Kong, how many horses are being trained?

Less than 1% of the world’s racehorses are trained in Hong Kong, with just 1,400 of them. Despite this and the lack of a breeding business, Hong Kong is home to some of the top racehorses in the world.

How are horses kept in Hong Kong?

Horses in Hong Kong are kept in various ways, depending on their purpose and owner’s preference. The most common method is keeping them in stables, which can be private or public. Several horse farms are also located around the city where horses are kept. For racing purposes, most horses are kept at the Sha Tin Racecourse.

Do fillies race in Hong Kong?

Yes, fillies race in Hong Kong. There are several races specifically for fillies throughout the year. The most notable is the Hong Kong Derby, a Group 1 race open to fillies aged three and up. The Hong Kong Derby is run over 2,000 meters and has a purse of HK$18 million.

Who are the most successful Hong Kong horse trainers?

John Size and Tony Cruz are among the most successful trainers in Hong Kong. John Size has won the Hong Kong trainers premiership multiple times, setting records for the most wins in a season and total earnings. Tony Cruz, also a highly celebrated trainer, has consistently been at the top of the leaderboard in terms of race wins and prize money.

What is the Hong Kong trainers premiership?

The Hong Kong trainers premiership is an annual competition where trainers compete to accumulate the highest number of race wins throughout the season. It is highly competitive and often involves a close race among top trainers like Ricky Yiu, Caspar Fownes, and Francis Lui, who have all been top contenders in recent seasons.

How many horse trainers are there in Hong Kong?

There are currently 24 active and licensed horse trainers in Hong Kong. Licensing is controlled by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, ensuring that all trainers meet the stringent requirements and standards set by the governing body.

Can you tell me about a notable Hong Kong horse trainers’ championship season?

The 2019/2020 season was particularly notable due to the intense competition. Ricky Yiu clinched his first championship title in a tightly contested season, edging out strong performances from trainers like Francis Lui and Tony Cruz. This season highlighted the dynamic and competitive nature of horse racing in Hong Kong, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the season.