https://www.scmp.com/rss/524412/feed The latest news and updates on Matthew Poon Ming-fai, a professional jockey who commenced his career with overseas training in South Australia, where he was crowned Champion Apprentice in 2015/16. Joining Hong Kong’s racing ranks in 2017, he quickly progressed, achieving his 200th Hong Kong victory in 2022. His accomplishments include multiple Group 3 triumphs and a significant Group 2 win in 2025. Poon’s expertise lies in strategic race riding, demonstrating notable confidence and improved... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Frankie Lor Fu-chuen has plenty of reason to be excited about the future with Salon S after the three-year-old extended his unblemished record in style at Sha Tin on Sunday. After opening his career with three front-running victories, the Zousain gelding went to another level when he overcame top weight of 134lb and a wide draw in gate 10 in the Class Three S.H. Ho Alumni Handicap (1,400m). Sent to the front again by Matthew Poon Ming-fai, Salon S justified $1.2 favouritism when he kept on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348305/boom-three-year-old-salon-s-lights-sha-tin-turf-again-extend-unbeaten-streak-four?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348305/boom-three-year-old-salon-s-lights-sha-tin-turf-again-extend-unbeaten-streak-four?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:26:17 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident an ideal draw in barrier four has British import Symbol Of Strength well placed to make it back-to-back victories in Wednesday night’s Class Three Kwu Tong Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley. Lor’s promising four-year-old has kept improving since arriving in Hong Kong at the end of last season after striking at Group Three level over 1,200m at Kempton pre-import. The son of Kodiac broke through for his first Hong Kong victory at start nine when scoring by a neck... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347546/frankie-lor-confident-symbol-strength-can-capitalise-ideal-draw-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347546/frankie-lor-confident-symbol-strength-can-capitalise-ideal-draw-happy-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:23:06 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney James McDonald has been booked to ride Seraph Gabriel in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after the superstar jockey chose to hop off Beauty Bolt in favour of David Eustace’s British import. McDonald was aboard Beauty Bolt in the first two legs of the Classic Series, finishing third in the Classic Mile and seventh in the Classic Cup (1,800m), but he was taken by Seraph Gabriel’s close second to Lucky Sam Gor when he rode him on the Classic Mile undercard. The son of Saxon Warrior... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:18:37 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Salon S extended his unbeaten record with a sensational all-the-way performance at Sha Tin on Sunday, capping trebles for trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and jockey Matthew Poon Ming-fai. The Zousain galloper had gone from pillar to post in a pair of starts leading into the Class Three Rose Handicap (1,400m) and Poon set out with the same objective on Sunday, crashing out of stall eight and straight into the lead. Salon S proved a tricky steer for Poon, pulling his way into a four-length lead and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344270/salon-s-leads-charge-treble-winning-duo-frankie-lor-and-matthew-poon-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3344270/salon-s-leads-charge-treble-winning-duo-frankie-lor-and-matthew-poon-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:24:10 +0000 Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Classy galloper Patch Of Theta returned to winning ways with a game performance to defy joint top weight of 135lb in the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Last seen in a winning mood when landing the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) 13 months ago, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper made good on a gilt-edged opportunity despite the weight burden. Travelling midfield in the six-runner affair under Hugh Bowman, Patch Of Theta travelled up well and was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342007/patch-theta-bound-group-one-company-again-after-tough-class-one-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342007/patch-theta-bound-group-one-company-again-after-tough-class-one-triumph?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:59:32 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Invincible Ibis again marked himself as the horse to beat in next month’s Classic Mile after defying 135lb to beat fellow four-year-old Beauty Bolt in a brilliant finish to the Class Two Pak Shek Au Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. In a battle of the four-year-old series contenders, Mark Newnham’s classy galloper stamped his authority on the division in no uncertain terms, though he was made to work for it by a game Beauty Bolt. Breaking from stall 14 did the latter no favours and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339500/invincible-ibis-makes-another-classic-mile-statement-mark-newnham-continues-stellar-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3339500/invincible-ibis-makes-another-classic-mile-statement-mark-newnham-continues-stellar-season?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:51:07 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Frankie Lor Fu-chuen enjoyed a day to remember at Sha Tin on Saturday after training his 500th Hong Kong winner and unleashing a Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) contender with impressive feature winner Numbers. Lor, who started his career as an apprentice jockey and trained his first winner with Yourthewonforme at Sha Tin in 2017, rose to the pinnacle by winning the 2021-22 trainers’ championship. And the three-time Group One winner, who enjoyed Derby success with Furore in 2019, will be dreaming of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337890/frankie-lor-reaches-landmark-500-winners-and-unleashes-impressive-derby-hope?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3337890/frankie-lor-reaches-landmark-500-winners-and-unleashes-impressive-derby-hope?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:05:29 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars There was carnage for punters at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with not one favourite saluting and the season’s longest-priced winner headlining a string of blowout results. Team Team Folks caused the biggest upset of the season so far when defying his $83.5 quote to win the second section of the Class Four Fat Tseung Handicap (1,200m). After failing to fire on three starts for Michael Chang Chun-wai last term, the son of Super Seth struck on his first start for new trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332550/carnage-punters-happy-valley-83-shot-headlines-raft-roughies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332550/carnage-punters-happy-valley-83-shot-headlines-raft-roughies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:42:36 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is hopeful a light weight and another good gate will ensure Fun N Fun Together is right in the mix as he chases consecutive victories at the Sha Tin all-weather meeting on Thursday night. A last-start winner at the course and distance of Thursday’s Hebe Hill Handicap (1,200m), Fun N Fun Together enters Class Three company for the first time and will carry just 117lb as a result. “This time he is going up to Class Three and the good thing is he has the light weight,” said Lor... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3330724/more-fun-frankie-lor-thursdays-sha-tin-all-weather-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3330724/more-fun-frankie-lor-thursdays-sha-tin-all-weather-meeting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:08:31 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding My Wish continued his scintillating march towards the Group One Hong Kong Mile with a comfortable success in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Mark Newnham-trained rising star was sent off the raging $1.4 favourite and his backers never had a moment's worry, even with Alexis Badel drawn out in stall 11. Landing a handy second outside the leader Copartner Prance, Badel always exuded confidence on the five-year-old, who loomed up at the 200m pole and once given an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3329584/my-wish-continues-march-hong-kong-mile-comfortable-sha-tin-trophy-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3329584/my-wish-continues-march-hong-kong-mile-comfortable-sha-tin-trophy-success?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 12:00:22 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding We are back at Sha Tin again on Sunday, with a good mix of competitive races leading up to the feature Class Two Shing Mun Handicap (1,200m). Owen Goulding is back in the hot seat with an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Chai Wan Kok Handicap (1,200m) Sky Song is yet to win at Sha Tin, but he ran well at the track last time out and now drops into a grade that he is unbeaten in. Race 2 – Class Four Kwok Shui Handicap (1,200m) – first section Circuit Victory has been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328637/who-wins-sha-tin-fight-time-can-be-knockout-pick-punters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328637/who-wins-sha-tin-fight-time-can-be-knockout-pick-punters?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 06:50:42 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding It would not be hard to argue that the current crop of Hong Kong jockeys is one of the strongest in recent memory – so why was a return to the city for Joao Moreira talked about as if it were a certainty? There is no debating that the “Magic Man” is one of the best jockeys to ever grace Hong Kong, racking up 1,235 wins and being champion jockey on four occasions. His regular tussles with Zac Purton were something to savour and he is internationally acclaimed - his talent is certainly not up for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328451/joao-moreiras-knock-back-shows-brutal-competitiveness-hong-kong-weighing-room?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3328451/joao-moreiras-knock-back-shows-brutal-competitiveness-hong-kong-weighing-room?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 01:18:02 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Last season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble eased his way through a barrier trial on Tuesday as he tunes up for his return in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) on October 19. The Hong Kong Champion Miler and Hong Kong Champion Stayer finished fourth behind Invincible Shield – who broke the tape at 1:10.62 – after settling towards the rear before making steady ground in the straight under Matthew Poon Ming-fai. Last seen running riot to win the Group One Champions & Chater Cup... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327335/voyage-bubble-tunes-sha-tin-trophy-barrier-trial-he-felt-good-sharp-and-fresh?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327335/voyage-bubble-tunes-sha-tin-trophy-barrier-trial-he-felt-good-sharp-and-fresh?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:53:48 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Two big names made early statements, an accomplished trainer hit the ground running after a wretched campaign last season and Super Typhoon Ragasa forced one meeting to be abandoned in an eventful opening month of the new season. The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a September to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride. Who’s hot? It was business as usual for Zac Purton after he bagged a five-timer at the opening meeting of the season en... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327185/hong-kong-racing-postscript-whos-hot-whos-not-and-best-september?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327185/hong-kong-racing-postscript-whos-hot-whos-not-and-best-september?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 03:02:15 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Matthew Poon Ming-fai clung on to win his maiden Tony Cruz Award in a remarkable photo finish with Derek Leung Ka-chun at Wednesday night’s season finale at Happy Valley. The 31-year-old entered the night one clear of Matthew Chadwick and two ahead of Leung, but it looked set to be a heartbreaking evening when Ragnarr arrived a nose too late in the opening Class Five Silver Grecian Handicap (1,200m). Frustration would have been building for Poon just 30 minutes later when Flying Wrote missed out... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3318493/matthew-poon-holds-charging-derek-leung-win-tony-cruz-award-happy-valley-finale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3318493/matthew-poon-holds-charging-derek-leung-win-tony-cruz-award-happy-valley-finale?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:07:23 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Derek Leung Ka-chun is hoping to be the comeback king at Happy Valley on Wednesday with his sights firmly set on overhauling Matthew Poon Ming-fai in the Tony Cruz Award race. Sitting on 34 winners for the campaign, the 36-year-old is two behind Poon in the local riders’ premiership heading into the final meeting of the season, with fellow hopeful Matthew Chadwick sandwiched between them on 35 in what is set to be a photo finish. Leung entered Sha Tin on Sunday down three to Poon, but with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3318208/derek-leung-still-positive-about-late-comeback-tony-cruz-award-reaches-its-finale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3318208/derek-leung-still-positive-about-late-comeback-tony-cruz-award-reaches-its-finale?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:14:39 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding It is now or never for Derek Leung Ka-chun as he looks to Beauty Joy to be the catalyst to spark his fading Tony Cruz Award hopes back to life at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 36-year-old is in a three-way shoot-out for the local riders’ premiership, with Matthew Poon Ming-fai leading the way on 36 and Matthew Chadwick sitting second on 34. Leung has two meetings to claw back three winners to draw level with Poon, with his Sunday book of eight rides looking the strongest of the trio. He rides Beauty... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3317978/title-races-go-down-wire-derek-leung-looks-strike-tony-cruz-award-blow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3317978/title-races-go-down-wire-derek-leung-looks-strike-tony-cruz-award-blow?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:30:28 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars Apprentice jockey Ellis Wong Chi-wang continued his barnstorming finish to the season by booting Dancing Code to victory for his boss Caspar Fownes in Saturday night’s Class Two Philip Chen Trophy (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Sent off the $3.55 favourite, the Aaron Kwok Fu-shing-owned Dancing Code came from forward of midfield to nail Harmony N Blessed and Lady’s Choice near the line. “I’m so happy to win for the boss again and this owner,” said Wong. “Today, with a good barrier and the strong pace, he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3317107/ellis-wong-continues-barnstorming-finish-season-i-love-horse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3317107/ellis-wong-continues-barnstorming-finish-season-i-love-horse?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 13:59:17 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding The Tony Cruz Award is heading down to the wire and Matthew Poon Ming-fai is hoping Tourbillon Prince can help him extend his lead in the Class Two Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Tuesday. The 31-year-old has seen his lead in the local riders’ premiership reduced to just two winners by a surging Matthew Chadwick, who has ridden three winners without reply from Poon. The tide could quickly shift the other direction, however, with Poon looking to Tourbillon Prince to give him a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316351/matthew-poon-sets-sights-tony-cruz-award-form-matthew-chadwick-closes-gap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316351/matthew-poon-sets-sights-tony-cruz-award-form-matthew-chadwick-closes-gap?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 07:11:43 +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