https://www.scmp.com/rss/521912/feed The latest news and top stories on Andrew Balding, a highly successful British racehorse trainer. Known for operating from the historic Kingsclere in Hampshire, he took over from his father in 2003 and quickly made his mark by training Oaks winner Casual Look. He has since achieved significant Classic and Royal Ascot success with notable horses including Kalpana, Alcohol Free, Kameko and Chaldean. Balding is adept at campaigning horses internationally and consistently ranks among the top... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Hong Kong champions Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior will bid to extend their record-breaking successes against strong international opposition at Sha Tin this month, after the Jockey Club confirmed the expected fields for the three FWD Champions Day features. Ka Ying Rising, who topped March’s first edition of the 2026 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, will chase a record-extending 20th straight victory when he defends his Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) crown on April... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349355/ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-set-face-strong-overseas-rivals-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349355/ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-set-face-strong-overseas-rivals-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:10:15 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jerry Chau Chun-lok has picked up the ride on Voyage Bubble in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) as the Triple Crown hero bids to bounce back from an uncharacteristic flop last start. In hot form with 13 winners since the start of February, Chau will replace champion jockey Zac Purton, who has ridden Voyage Bubble in his past four starts. Chau, 25, is excited to ride the six-time Group One winner for the first time in the Chairman’s Trophy on April 6. “Ricky told me last week. I will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Utilising new technology, engaging with younger fans and better promotion of racing are crucial to the future of the sport, according to Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and executive director of racing Andrew Harding. Speaking on the final day of the Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh, Engelbrecht-Bresges and Harding highlighted the key motivators in safeguarding the future of racing. “If there is one message that cuts across all our discussions, it is this: the future of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343456/asian-racing-conference-new-technology-and-engaging-younger-fans-crucial-future-racing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343456/asian-racing-conference-new-technology-and-engaging-younger-fans-crucial-future-racing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:30:09 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Enhancing the safety and well-being of thoroughbred racehorses was the key focus of the Jockey Club’s Equine Welfare Research Foundation’s inaugural international conference held in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Attracting 220 speakers and delegates from 25 countries, the event underscored a unified global effort to enhance the safety and welfare of thoroughbred racehorses through scientific innovation and collaboration. Themed “Applying Science to the Care of the Thoroughbred Racehorse”, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3336904/safety-and-well-being-racehorses-key-focus-jockey-club-foundations-inaugural-conference?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3336904/safety-and-well-being-racehorses-key-focus-jockey-club-foundations-inaugural-conference?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:16:18 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Last year’s winner Giavellotto will lead a European assault on the Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and bid to become the first horse since 2008 to win the HK$26 million prize back to back. Just two horses, Doctor Dino (2007-2008) and Luso (1996-1997), have won the race in consecutive years since the race was given Group One status in 1994, while Highland Reel (2015 and 2017) and Glory Vase (2019 and 2021) are the only other horses to have repeat wins. That shows the mountain that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334256/giavellotto-goes-rare-repeat-hong-kong-vase-raiders-take-aim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334256/giavellotto-goes-rare-repeat-hong-kong-vase-raiders-take-aim?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:36:10 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars The Jockey Club believes changes to its whip rules will “address perception issues” around equine welfare and act as a step towards “harmonisation with other racing jurisdictions” as the World Pool continues to grow. Beginning from this Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin, jockeys will not be permitted to use the whip in consecutive strides before the 100m mark, while the whip may be used at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m. After consulting jockeys, trainers and owners towards the end of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324307/changes-hong-kong-whip-rules-address-perception-issues-promote-harmonisation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324307/changes-hong-kong-whip-rules-address-perception-issues-promote-harmonisation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:24:26 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Joining Hong Kong’s world-class jockey ranks is a daunting challenge for many newcomers, but for David Probert, he felt the time was right to finally make the move this year. An accomplished jockey in the United Kingdom with more than 1,600 career winners, the Welshman has been licensed to ride in Hong Kong until February 17 and starts his new venture with two rides at Sunday’s season-opener at Sha Tin. “I’ve been approached [by the Jockey Club] three or four times in the past and I didn’t think... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324147/welshman-david-probert-ready-ultimate-test-hong-kong-its-kind-dream-place?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324147/welshman-david-probert-ready-ultimate-test-hong-kong-its-kind-dream-place?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:29:57 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Whirl made quick work of torrential conditions at Glorious Goodwood to win the Group One Nassau Stakes (2,000m) in impressive fashion on Wednesday. Biblical rain, thanks to a heavy thunderstorm, saw racegoers cowering indoors before the race, and the Nassau itself was delayed for 10 minutes with lightning in the area. None of that – including a flag start due to safety concerns – fazed Aidan O’Brien’s $1.7 favourite, who went straight to the lead under Ryan Moore and was never seriously... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3320450/whirl-powers-through-goodwood-thunderstorm-ease-away-nassau-stakes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3320450/whirl-powers-through-goodwood-thunderstorm-ease-away-nassau-stakes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:19:51 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding International superstar Rebel’s Romance will look to add an elusive British Group One to his CV when he lines up in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on Saturday. The only overseas winner of Hong Kong’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter has won 18 of his 26 career starts including seven top-level successes in four different countries. He added a Royal Ascot win to his incredible record when surging clear to land the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319572/global-superstar-rebels-romance-bids-missing-british-group-one-king-george-ascot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319572/global-superstar-rebels-romance-bids-missing-british-group-one-king-george-ascot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:01:32 +0000