Source:
https://scmp.com/article/617719/long-run

In for the long run

Race days in Hong Kong are loud, exciting affairs for all involved, but while punters stand and wait in anticipation for the horses to leave their starting gates, the jockeys riding the thoroughbreds have only one thing on their mind: beating the competition.

Riding a winning horse takes not only a bit of luck and a lot of skill, it also takes an incredible commitment to training, a wealth of experience, and above all, an ability to consistently have the right mental attitude and to conquer fears in what is one of the world's most dangerous sports.

Three of these jockeys who will be competing in this year's festival are Brett Prebble, Olivier Doleuze and Gerald Mosse. They have each had their share of success in recent years, and they know a thing or two about what it takes to make it as a successful rider in Hong Kong.

'Racing here is tougher and harder than any other place I have raced in the world,' said Doleuze. 'I can only describe it as being like a roller coaster out here. When you are up and doing well you are regarded by everyone as being a genius, but when you are down you are nothing. It changes very fast. I can tell you that when times are hard it can be very tough.'

The Frenchman insists though, that racing in Hong Kong has major benefits: 'Every jockey I know who has come to Hong Kong and been successful or not has returned home as a much better rider. Hong Kong makes you learn a lot. You can be a great jockey, one of the best in your country, but if you come here and don't get lucky then no one cares about you. But on the other hand, if you do get lucky then they will carry you and make you a better rider. It's a place where you need to take your chances - it makes you a better man and a better rider.'

But what is it that these three jockeys have that has helped them succeed, and what separates them from the hundreds of others who have tried to make it here without reaching the same levels of success?

Prebble, who hails from Australia and has been riding in Hong Kong since 2002, has no doubt that it is experience that sets apart the great from the good. 'For myself, I think the biggest asset I had was that I started riding horses when I was five years old. You know, I could ride horses backwards by the age of 10. I always had excellent balance from an early age and a really good understanding of the horses themselves. I ran them every day, it was my life and my passion for horses began very early on.'

According to Prebble, who is recognised as one of the world's most gifted riders, jockeys today tend to start riding much later on, and this makes it harder for them to succeed. 'Nowadays, some people may not even start until they are 18. The first time they put a head collar on is when they are 15 or 16 when they sign their purse papers. They are starting very late, so we have that advantage over them.'

He added that as you gain in experience you become more successful. 'For your first 100 rides or so you're just getting a feel for it, really. It's not like it is now. Now we put a lot of planning into the race and we actually know what we're doing out there.'

Doleuze also has the advantage of an early start. On his side as well was the fact that his father was a jockey and he always wanted to follow in his footsteps.

'In fact,' he said, 'I started my apprenticeship at the age of 14 with Criquette Head, and got my first win on a horse trained by my dad. It was my first race, at the age of 15, and I won it.'

Mosse had a haul of 20 winners in his first season. He puts his success in Hong Kong down to experience and the fact that he enjoys racing here so much: 'I'm always happy to be here and riding good horses, which is key for me. I'm lucky to have been here for such a long time and to have won so many big races. It's a pleasure.'

Preparation, a lack of fear and having the correct mindset are essential to be a winner in any sport, but as Doleuze pointed out, horse racing is different and requires a unique mental attitude.

'When you start out in competitive racing it's a bit like being a new boxer who is fighting for the first time. You have practised continuously and repeated your movements over and over in your head many times. But when you eventually jump into the ring you forget everything and anything can happen. And it's at that moment when you really realise if you have what it takes to become a prize fighter or a great jockey.

'It takes time and experience to make you tough enough to really succeed. I don't see any young jockeys who can compete with a good rider of 16 years' or so experience. It is not like other sports such as tennis or soccer where you can hit a ball and maybe beat another player who has more experience than you,' he explained.

As Prebble pointed out, having the right mental attitude is key, and despite the dangers that jockeys face when racing, fear is never an option. 'You never think about danger. Never. You just have to focus on your job and if you ever worry about safety out there then I think you shouldn't be out there. You will end up putting the other jockeys in danger because you will ride differently to how you normally would.'

Keeping in peak physical shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential. 'The most important thing is to maintain good health and to enjoy the good experiences,' said Mosse.

In keeping healthy, the jockeys have a tough training regime. 'I do a lot of cardiovascular work,' said Prebble. 'My training consists of boxing, running and cycling along with Pilates. I do a variety of things just to break it up.'

But it is the uniqueness of Hong Kong and the sport here that the jockeys enjoy the most. Being a relatively small location has its advantages. 'I haven't had any low points here,' Mosse explained. 'People in Hong Kong know us more than jockeys overseas because the place is quite small. They recognise us and it seems that everyone here enjoys horse racing. The public often knows more about it than I do. I can ask them about the races.'

As for race day, the jockeys advise that we look out for the Hong Kong horses in the Sprint and the Mile. Although the on-form Miss Andretti will be favourite in the international market, the jockeys believe that Sacred Kingdom could bring an end to her winning streak.