https://www.scmp.com/rss/524071/feed Lyle Hewitson is a highly accomplished professional in horse racing, known for his competitive spirit and resilience. Hailing from a racing family, he quickly rose through the ranks in South Africa, becoming a two-time Champion Apprentice and a three-time Champion, notably breaking the apprentice win record. He has also achieved success in Japan and established himself in Hong Kong, reaching 100 career wins. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jay Rooney,Olivia O'Sullivan Jay Rooney,Olivia O'Sullivan Brett Crawford’s reputation for rejuvenating out-of-form gallopers from other stables went to another level when Mugen snapped a 652-day winning drought at Sha Tin on Monday. In arguably the best training feat of his first season in Hong Kong, Crawford helped the Australian import notch his first victory since the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) in 2024 for Pierre Ng Pang-chi when he stormed home to claim Monday’s Class Two Barker Handicap (1,400m). Mugen had lost form since his Group One... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349187/brett-crawford-keeps-stable-transfer-momentum-rolling-mugen-while-mark-newnham-bags-bittersweet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349187/brett-crawford-keeps-stable-transfer-momentum-rolling-mugen-while-mark-newnham-bags-bittersweet?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:58:42 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Lyle Hewitson has a strong line-up of rides at Sha Tin on Sunday that includes the progressive Supreme Sea stepping up grade in the Class Three Cornwall Handicap (1,200m) and Packing Angel in the Class Two Devon Handicap (1,800m). The lightly raced Supreme Sea has impressed in his two starts for trainer Mark Newnham, recording a win and a second placing by just half a length to Vulcanus on Sha Tin’s all-weather track. “I think he’s a very good horse. I’m really happy to have got aboard him, he’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345825/strong-line-sha-tin-lyle-hewitson-headlined-supreme-sea-and-packing-angel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345825/strong-line-sha-tin-lyle-hewitson-headlined-supreme-sea-and-packing-angel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:15:37 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jerry Chau Chun-lok continued his incredible form and celebrated his 200th Hong Kong win in style with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday. Fresh from nine winners in February, Chau picked up where he left off to boot home Francis Lui Kin-wai’s pair Chill Partners and Galactic Voyage and the in-form Emblazon. “After I graduated in 2021, everything was more of a challenge and I had to fight for it and at this stage, I’m really happy with 200 winners,” Chau said. “I need to thank the trainers who have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345046/form-jerry-chau-celebrates-200th-hong-kong-win-brilliant-treble-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345046/form-jerry-chau-celebrates-200th-hong-kong-win-brilliant-treble-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:56:28 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Brett Crawford aims to continue a fine start to his Hong Kong training career when he saddles a strong squad for Sha Tin on Sunday, including Lovero in the Class Three Primula Handicap (1,600m). The 54-year-old has trained winners at three of the last four meetings, helping to propel him to 16 winners for the campaign, far surpassing pre-season expectations despite his stellar resume. Crawford has made a name for himself by transforming transfers into his stable into winning machines and Lovero... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344209/brett-crawford-set-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344209/brett-crawford-set-keep-good-times-rolling-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:10:03 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Francis Lui Kin-wai is looking for back-to-back wins in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) with Chancheng Glory at Sha Tin on Sunday, but Speed Dragon is another string to his bow in the handler’s search of a third win in the race. It has been a period to remember for Lui, who has rocketed up to sixth in the standings after training 10 winners at the last seven meetings. The run included a Group Three victory when Speed Dragon launched to January Cup (1,800m) glory at Happy Valley and he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342533/francis-lui-puts-faith-speed-dragon-and-chancheng-glory-continue-purple-patch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342533/francis-lui-puts-faith-speed-dragon-and-chancheng-glory-continue-purple-patch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:29:49 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham is four strong for Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin and hopes his squad of Invincible Ibis, Infinite Resolve, Crimson Flash and Winfield can get the job done as he goes for back-to-back wins. My Wish provided Newnham with his breakout Hong Kong victory 12 months ago and after a stellar campaign that has seen him rise through the grades, Invincible Ibis looks to be his biggest chance of repeating the dose. Beaten off a rating of 55 for his opening run of the campaign in September... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341663/mark-newnham-mob-handed-he-goes-back-back-classic-mile-wins-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341663/mark-newnham-mob-handed-he-goes-back-back-classic-mile-wins-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:45:15 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Matthew Chadwick’s wish to reunite with Patch Of Cosmo has come true and the four-time Group One-winning jockey is excited about his prospects in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Chadwick regained the ride after Zac Purton picked Brazilian import Sagacious Life from a plethora of Classic Mile options just before he booted home Patch Of Cosmo in his stunning return from injury on January 18. Chadwick guided Manfred Man Ka-leung’s quality galloper to victory in two of his three rides on the son... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341237/matthew-chadwick-excited-reunite-classy-patch-cosmo-classic-mile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341237/matthew-chadwick-excited-reunite-classy-patch-cosmo-classic-mile?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 07:30:25 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Andrea Atzeni put on a clinic at Sha Tin’s dirt meeting on Wednesday night, smashing in a brilliant treble headlined by the fantastic all-the-way success of New Forest in the feature Class Two Tin Chak Handicap (1,650m). It was the second time the Sardinian jockey has ridden a treble in the city, building on his maiden three-timer last April, and a pair of his winners saw him go from pillar to post in dominant fashion. He will struggle to ride many easier winners than New Forest, who had gained... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340737/andrea-atzeni-trebles-danny-shum-hits-900-hong-kong-winners-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340737/andrea-atzeni-trebles-danny-shum-hits-900-hong-kong-winners-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:22:17 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham leads the way on the dirt this season and the championship leader is well placed to add to his lead with some excellent chances on Wednesday’s all-dirt card at Sha Tin. The Australian is two wins clear of Caspar Fownes in the premiership on 32 and is also one clear of Danny Shum Chap-shing in the unofficial dirt equivalent on seven wins. Newnham has not been afraid to pitch his runners onto the surface this campaign and it has borne plenty of fruit, with New Forest going for a third... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340534/mark-newnham-aims-continue-setting-pace-strong-dirt-hand-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340534/mark-newnham-aims-continue-setting-pace-strong-dirt-hand-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:55:59 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Francis Lui Kin-wai joined an elite group of trainers to reach 1,000 wins in Hong Kong when Speed Dragon stormed home from last for a stunning victory in Wednesday night’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley. Champion trainer in 2023-24 and the handler of champion galloper Golden Sixty, Lui joined John Moore (1,735 wins), John Size (1,629), Tony Cruz (1,583), Caspar Fownes (1,196) and Ricky Yiu Poon-fai (1,082) in reaching the major milestone when Winning Money and Speed Dragon won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339923/francis-lui-joins-elite-group-trainers-1000-hong-kong-wins-after-speed-dragons-huge-valley-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339923/francis-lui-joins-elite-group-trainers-1000-hong-kong-wins-after-speed-dragons-huge-valley-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:50:49 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Francis Lui Kin-wai is leaving nothing to chance when he unleashes his classy trio of Chancheng Glory, Speed Dragon and Winning Wing on Wednesday’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley. Lui won the race back in 2020 with Doctor Geoff and his three-pronged assault on the Group Three prize gives him the best possible chance of doubling his tally. Chief among his chances is Chancheng Glory, who has drawn the ideal gate in stall one and has been plying his trade in much tougher races of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339723/francis-lui-leaving-nothing-chance-he-looks-january-cup-glory-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339723/francis-lui-leaving-nothing-chance-he-looks-january-cup-glory-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:51:50 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Lyle Hewitson and James Orman have been two of the surprise packages of the season and the pair have some excellent chances to keep their respective runs going at Sha Tin on Sunday. Hewitson sits on 15 winners for the season and he will rely on Akashvani to add another win to his tally when he runs in the fiercely competitive Class Three Stanley Gap Handicap (1,400m). In a race that will shape the Classic Mile conversation, he takes on the the likes of Helene Supafeeling and Circuit Grand Slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339432/lyle-hewitson-and-james-orman-look-continue-momentum-strong-sha-tin-books?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339432/lyle-hewitson-and-james-orman-look-continue-momentum-strong-sha-tin-books?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:53:40 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding The decision to bench Luke Ferraris from My Wish ahead of his tilt at the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) later this month is one that I cannot wrap my head around, but once again highlights the brutal reality riders can face in Hong Kong. Ferraris has been on board My Wish for 13 of his 15 starts, winning on him five times, including a poignant success in the Classic Mile to give himself and trainer Mark Newnham their first feature wins in the city. The pair teamed up for Group Three glory on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339174/my-wish-jockey-swap-disappointing-decision-highlights-brutal-reality-riders-can-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339174/my-wish-jockey-swap-disappointing-decision-highlights-brutal-reality-riders-can-face?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:25:15 +0000 Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding French star Maxime Guyon kept up his stellar form on his short-term stint in Hong Kong with another Sha Tin double courtesy of The Concentration and Gallant Epoch on Sunday. Since starting a three-month contract at the end of November, Guyon broke through with a Group One success on Sosie in the Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and Sunday’s brace boosted his haul to nine winners. The Concentration overcame a wide trip without cover in the second half of the field to snare the opening Class Five Tai Lam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3338675/maxime-guyon-extends-hot-form-double-mark-newnham-unveils-smart-debut-winner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3338675/maxime-guyon-extends-hot-form-double-mark-newnham-unveils-smart-debut-winner?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:34:21 +0000 Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Luke Ferraris celebrated his 24th birthday in style when he continued his strong season with a win aboard Happy Boss at Sha Tin on Saturday. Sitting third in the jockeys’ championship behind Zac Purton (51 winners) and Hugh Bowman (23), the young South African notched his 18th success of the campaign when he booted Happy Boss home in the Class Four Tai Tan Handicap (1,400m). The David Eustace-trained gelding improved on his encouraging sixth on debut to prevail from Star Satyr in a thrilling... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337899/luke-ferraris-bags-birthday-winner-mount-everest-scales-new-heights-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337899/luke-ferraris-bags-birthday-winner-mount-everest-scales-new-heights-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:23:10 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Lyle Hewitson is hoping to turn some near misses into winners and continue his strong start to the campaign when he partners some useful chances at Happy Valley on Tuesday night. The South African is on the 12-winner mark for the campaign and has no complaints about his start, but a combined 30 second and third place finishes so far have left him feeling like there was more in the locker. “I can’t complain, there’s been plenty of seconds and thirds that of course we’d love to turn into winners,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337225/lyle-hewitson-striving-even-more-he-looks-continue-strong-start-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337225/lyle-hewitson-striving-even-more-he-looks-continue-strong-start-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:05:49 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney David Eustace is excited to test Dazzling Fit against “the stand-out” Classic Series contender Invincible Ibis in what shapes as a crucial clash in Saturday’s Class Three Poinsettia Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin. Bound for the first leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Mile on February 1, the Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis chases a third straight victory while Dazzling Fit continued his upward spiral with an incredibly tough win last start. Trapped wide throughout without cover from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337007/david-eustace-excited-test-dazzling-fit-against-stand-out-classic-series-contender?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337007/david-eustace-excited-test-dazzling-fit-against-stand-out-classic-series-contender?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 04:58:06 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Brett Crawford continued his strong start to life in Hong Kong with his first Happy Valley double, while Caspar Fownes shot up to second in the trainers’ championship with a brace of his own on Wednesday evening. Ninja Derby was Crawford’s first winner in Hong Kong on a day where he secured a double at Sha Tin in September and he struck again for the South African trainer in the Class Five Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1,800m). There was never a moment's worry for his backers, with Lyle Hewitson... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3335105/double-delight-brett-crawford-and-caspar-fownes-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3335105/double-delight-brett-crawford-and-caspar-fownes-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:25:03 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Lyle Hewitson is hoping to turn some “frustrating” seconds into victories when he partners Samarkand, Oriental Surprise and Exceed The Wish at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The South African has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, saluting on nine occasions, but there is an element of ‘what could have been’, with 12 seconds and a further 11 thirds on the report card. He rides three of those near misses at the city circuit on Wednesday and Hewitson is hoping to get back on the winning... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3333065/lyke-hewitson-looks-turn-some-seconds-winners-strong-happy-valley-book?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3333065/lyke-hewitson-looks-turn-some-seconds-winners-strong-happy-valley-book?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:43:44 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham became the first trainer to hit 20 winners for the season when Notthesillyone and New Forest extended his premiership lead to six with victories on the all-dirt card at Sha Tin on Thursday evening. The 57-year-old came into the meeting with a four-winner lead over Caspar Fownes but marched another two clear of his nearest rival to keep his goal of a top-three finish in the championship firmly in sight. His night got off to the perfect start when his first runner, Notthesillyone, led... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3330967/mark-newnham-charges-six-win-lead-trainers-premiership-sha-tin-double?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3330967/mark-newnham-charges-six-win-lead-trainers-premiership-sha-tin-double?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:08:39 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Buoyed by Encountered’s slashing run on his stable debut, Brett Crawford is optimistic the Group Three winner can deliver him his first Class Two success in Hong Kong in Wednesday night’s Lei Yue Mun Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley. Transferred after three seasons with Manfred Man Ka-leung and last term with David Hall, Encountered went close to a breakthrough victory after storming home to fall only three-quarters of a length short of Lo Rider in second last month. The former British... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328901/brett-crawford-has-high-hopes-class-two-happy-valley-victory-encountered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328901/brett-crawford-has-high-hopes-class-two-happy-valley-victory-encountered?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:16:10 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Tony Cruz capped off a superb week for his stable with a fantastic Sha Tin double on Sunday to keep pace in the trainers’ premiership. The legendary trainer ran riot at Happy Valley on Wednesday by securing a treble and was in no mood to slow down at Sha Tin, with He Was You winning the opening Class Five Chai Wan Kok Handicap (1,200m). It was an all-the-way success for the Angus Chung Yik-lai-ridden five-year-old, who got off the mark at the ninth attempt by a cosy two lengths. Things got even... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328708/very-happy-tony-cruz-continues-strong-patch-sha-tin-double-hungry-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328708/very-happy-tony-cruz-continues-strong-patch-sha-tin-double-hungry-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:29:31 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham is relishing a fast start to the new season and is looking to Mid Winter Wind and New Forest to continue it at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 57-year-old has hit the board on three occasions so far this campaign and he has a host of chances to continue the good times on Sunday, with his team spearheaded by the promising Mid Winter Wind. He goes in the feature Class Two Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1,200m) and is looking to bounce back after a low-key end to last season that saw him fail to build... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3326062/mark-newnham-looks-continue-fast-start-season-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3326062/mark-newnham-looks-continue-fast-start-season-strong-sha-tin-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 02:38:39 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars There’s always plenty of buzz in the lead-up to the Hong Kong season opener, but Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting takes on even greater significance as it doubles as the farewell party for the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. Initially hesitant to run Ka Ying Rising under handicap conditions in the scorching September sun – lobbying Jockey Club officials for a set weights contest – trainer David Hayes will pit his superstar against 11 worthy adversaries in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324628/excitement-builds-hong-kong-season-opener-doubles-ka-ying-risings-send?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3324628/excitement-builds-hong-kong-season-opener-doubles-ka-ying-risings-send?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:27:54 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Buoyed by positive responses from Hong Kong owners, Brett Crawford is eyeing a dream start to his new venture when the prominent South African trainer starts Speedy Smartie at Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin. Crawford, who has won 38 Group Ones and almost 1,500 races throughout his career, is the only addition to the Hong Kong training ranks for the 2025-26 season. Speedy Smartie – one of 25 gallopers on Crawford’s books – will be the handler’s only runner on Sunday and the former Benno Yung... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3323885/brett-crawford-bids-perfect-start-hong-kong-career-sha-tin-season-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3323885/brett-crawford-bids-perfect-start-hong-kong-career-sha-tin-season-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 06:38:36 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars Fresh off a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Matthew Chadwick heads to Sha Tin on Saturday looking to continue his good form and pursuit of Tony Cruz Award leader Matthew Poon Ming-fai. By moving to 34 wins for the season with victories aboard Superb Capitalist and Another Zonda, Chadwick closed to within two of Poon in the race for leading local jockey and he has 10 chances to trim the gap even further this weekend. “I know where we’re standing, so it is on my mind,” said Chadwick of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316064/matthew-chadwick-eager-maintain-momentum-tony-cruz-award-pursuit-im-striking-range-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316064/matthew-chadwick-eager-maintain-momentum-tony-cruz-award-pursuit-im-striking-range-now?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:17:22 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Lyle Hewitson, Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Karis Teetan were taken to hospital after a horror fall during the Class Three St George’s Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Hewitson was speared into the turf when $3 favourite Seasons Wit came down around 75m from the line after fracturing his left fore fetlock, with the South African jockey suffering a fractured wrist and a suspected fractured ankle. Seasons Wit fell in front of Eternal Fortune under Chau and Teetan’s mount,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3315833/trio-jockeys-taken-hospital-following-horror-incident-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3315833/trio-jockeys-taken-hospital-following-horror-incident-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:03:05 +0000