https://www.scmp.com/rss/524565/feed Brett Crawford: A highly accomplished horse trainer, he boasts over 1,400 career winners and 38 Group 1 victories, including consecutive Durban July wins in 2023 and 2024. Originally from Zimbabwe, he built a distinguished career in South Africa, gaining experience under top trainers before establishing Crawford Racing. Renowned for his methodical approach and professionalism, he has trained numerous top-class thoroughbreds. He is now embarking on a significant new role, joining the Hong Kong... 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 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse McLaren’s Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time in Friday’s second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, usurping the dominant Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Piastri is yet to even start a grand prix this season but the Australian gave a reminder of his talent with a lap of one minute, 30.133 seconds in dry, sunny conditions at Suzuka. The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his career in China two weeks ago, was second, 0.092 seconds behind... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348169/mclarens-oscar-piastri-outshines-mercedes-duo-go-fastest-japanese-grand-prix-practice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348169/mclarens-oscar-piastri-outshines-mercedes-duo-go-fastest-japanese-grand-prix-practice?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:30:20 +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,Jay Rooney Owen Goulding,Jay Rooney Francis Lui Kin-wai continued his remarkable 2026 with another double at Sha Tin on Saturday, spearheaded by the impressive success of Turquoise Velocity in the Class Three TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine Handicap (1,000m). The 2023-24 champion trainer topped the charts in January in tandem with David Hayes, securing 10 winners, and February has seen him continue his rampant period. Lui raced to five winners in February thanks to a pair of smart winners, with Turquoise Velocity looking a very smart... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343591/francis-lui-continues-great-2026-tony-cruz-and-andrea-atzeni-also-secure-doubles-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343591/francis-lui-continues-great-2026-tony-cruz-and-andrea-atzeni-also-secure-doubles-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:27:39 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Brett Crawford is banking on a significant weight swing on Speed Dragon and return to Sha Tin to propel Encountered to victory in Sunday’s Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m). A fast-finishing winner of the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) in November for Crawford, Encountered meets Speed Dragon 6lb better from their last clash when the latter bagged the Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley. While Crawford felt his consistent galloper could have finished closer than fourth on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342775/brett-crawford-fancies-weight-swing-and-return-sha-tin-encountered-centenary-vase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342775/brett-crawford-fancies-weight-swing-and-return-sha-tin-encountered-centenary-vase?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:40:19 +0000 Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding Jay Rooney,Owen Goulding It’s been a big couple of weeks for Francis Lui Kin-wai and the stable’s incredible form continued at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the veteran trainer bagging both Class Twos and unveiling a smart debutant. Lui, who celebrated his 1,000th Hong Kong win last week and 67th birthday on Thursday, backed up his Sha Tin treble seven days earlier to make it eight winners from the past four meetings. Winning Wing and Invincible Shield struck in the two strongest races on the Group One undercard, while Gold... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341171/francis-lui-bags-two-class-twos-and-unveils-smart-debutant-extend-stables-superb-form?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3341171/francis-lui-bags-two-class-twos-and-unveils-smart-debutant-extend-stables-superb-form?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:04 +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 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney It might be the calm before the storm with a pair of Group Ones next week and the Classic Mile the week after, but there are still 11 winners to be found on Sunday’s card at Sha Tin. Jay Rooney is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Rugby Sevens Handicap (2,000m) In a field of stayers who struggle to win, Chateau Le Peche could be a value play with a return to the course and distance of his only victory and a good draw. Race 2 – Class Four... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340249/who-wins-sha-tin-form-emblazon-can-make-leap-class-three?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3340249/who-wins-sha-tin-form-emblazon-can-make-leap-class-three?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 06:31:55 +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 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 Brett Crawford’s “fairy tale” start to his Hong Kong training career continued when Encountered flashed home to recapture the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Churchill galloper had been winless in 18 runs after winning the race in 2023 for David Hall and signs of a revival last year were limited, including a midfield finish in this race 12 months ago. He switched stables into Crawford’s care ahead of this season and after a pair of promising runs in Class Two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332105/brett-crawfords-fairy-tale-continues-encountered-runs-them-down-group-three-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332105/brett-crawfords-fairy-tale-continues-encountered-runs-them-down-group-three-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 10:33:40 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Racing returns to the Sha Tin turf on Sunday for the first time in two weeks, with the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) the highlight of the 10-race card. Jay Rooney is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1,600m) Perfect Peach followed a good win with a sound second to Ninja Derby last start and looks the one to beat here. Race 2 – Class Four Grace One Handicap (1,000m) Ka Ying Warrior has trialled very nicely for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332031/who-wins-sha-tin-strathpeffer-super-chance-salute-again?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3332031/who-wins-sha-tin-strathpeffer-super-chance-salute-again?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 07:14:35 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Brett Crawford is optimistic Encountered will continue his top form in Sunday’s Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m), but the South African handler has one slight reservation for his first runner in a Hong Kong Group race. Fresh from bagging his first Happy Valley winner courtesy of Speedy Smartie on Wednesday night, Crawford hopes to celebrate a more significant first when Encountered takes on the likes of Group One performer Beauty Joy and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) heroes Cap Ferrat and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3331702/brett-crawford-has-one-slight-concern-ahead-hong-kong-group-race-debut-encountered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3331702/brett-crawford-has-one-slight-concern-ahead-hong-kong-group-race-debut-encountered?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:36:54 +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 Sam Agars Sam Agars Sha Tin hosts another feature day this public holiday Wednesday, with the Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) the highlight of the season’s seventh meeting. There are 10 races on the card and Sam Agars is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Shenyang Handicap (1,400m) Tsuen Wan Glory has been working well since a solid late-August trial and he looks the one to beat if apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni can find the front from gate 12. Race 2 – Class... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327451/who-wins-sha-tin-wunderbar-one-beat-feature-dash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327451/who-wins-sha-tin-wunderbar-one-beat-feature-dash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:27:03 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding A bumper day of action awaits at Sha Tin on Sunday, with a Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) featuring the likes of My Wish and Rubylot headlining the card. There are a whopping 11 races on the card and Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Tropicbird Handicap (1,200m) Speedy Smartie ran a game race when second on his return on the turf at Sha Tin in the season opener. He has plenty of pace to burn and has run well on multiple... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327097/what-wins-sha-tin-zac-purton-set-fun-sunday-host-chances?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3327097/what-wins-sha-tin-zac-purton-set-fun-sunday-host-chances?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 10:08:19 +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 Richard Kingscote will return to Hong Kong, Ben Thompson will depart and Tony Cruz has been permitted to train beyond the age of 70, the Jockey Club’s licensing committee confirmed on Friday. Kingscote is the only addition to a riding cohort that will lose Antoine Hamelin, who returns to France at the end of this term after five years in Hong Kong, the retiring Alfred Chan Ka-hei and Ben Thompson, who has opted to head back to Australia after nearly 18 months in the city. A multiple Group One... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316095/richard-kingscote-returns-ben-thompson-departs-and-tony-cruz-gets-extension?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3316095/richard-kingscote-returns-ben-thompson-departs-and-tony-cruz-gets-extension?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:27:23 +0000