Patience has been a virtue for Vincent Ho Chak-yiu as he prepares for his return to race action at Sha Tin this week, after seven months on the sidelines following a horror fall.
The 35-year-old has been away from competitive action since suffering a traumatic brain injury when taking a tumble from Oldtown at Sha Tin on February 9.
He spent time in intensive care after the incident and then underwent a period recovering in Geneva, with doctors there giving him the all-clear to ride track work at the start of June.
Ho is relishing the chance to get back into racing with Sunday’s season opener in his sights, but he stressed that he would be doing it on his own terms after such a lengthy spell away.
“The last seven months there hasn’t been much change, but the sport doctor in Geneva let me start riding since the start of June. From July onwards, I was riding here a little bit until the end of the season,” Ho said.
“I went to Chantilly, Goodwood with World Pool, and Deauville afterwards – it was my plan to come back early enough for trials and do as much as possible to get my mind and body used to it. When I’m ready, we’ll start racing.
“I’m feeling ready and good, which is the most important thing. The doctors here would pass me after one or two trials if I feel fine, but I said to them not to because I’ve been out for a while and want to do a bit more before I tell them I’m ready.
“It’s better for it to be my own decision. Medical wise, since the start of June, everything has been fine – my sports doctor and neurosurgeon have passed me already, now it’s my call.
“I have an appointment next week, but there’s no rush for that. By next week, if something happens and I don’t feel well enough, I said wait. But if things are going smoothly, then fine, let’s go for it.”
Best known for his partnership with the incredible Golden Sixty, Ho met up with his old partner at Northern Horse Park in Japan during the summer break and even gave him a canter.
The pair won 26 races in total, amassing HK$167.17 million in prize money and a whopping 10 Group One prizes.
With all being well, Ho is targeting being back in the big time sooner rather than later and is choosing to take the positives from what has been a challenging experience.
“Hopefully I can ride something nice and start off the season well. Obviously you get to learn to be patient and look after yourself – it’s one of the most important things I’ve learned in this period,” added Ho.
“You have to be resilient as a sportsman and learn as much as possible. Even in a time like this, something positive can come out of it, and we take that.”
