Alan Li Fook-sum

A who's who of Hong Kong racing stand shoulder to shoulder in the saddling paddock at Sha Tin yesterday to honour the memory of former Jockey Club chairman Alan Li Fook-sum. Li, 66, died in his sleep at his Phuket residence on Tuesday. Led by chairman Ronald Arculli, the club's senior stewards, stipendiary stewards, directors and officials joined jockeys, trainers and owners in a minute's silence after the third race. History will smile kindly on the Li years, during which Hong Kong racing came of age as an international player. Largely due to his vision and planning, Hong Kong's international day in December is now regarded as perhaps the finest single day of racing in the world.