The Hong Kong Jockey Club will see two new names in the form guide next month when local apprentice Nichola Yuen Hang Yiu joins the riding roster from April 1, followed by Group One-winning Australian jockey Ethan Brown on April 26.
Yuen will be just the second female jockey to ride full-time in Hong Kong since 2017, following Britney Wong Po-ni’s recruitment in 2025.
Yuen entered the Jockey Club’s trainee programme in 2016 before moving to Australia in 2021 where she recorded 61 wins over three years, including a four-timer at Port Augusta. This was followed by stints in New Zealand, where she rode 10 winners, followed by seven in South Africa.
Hong Kong’s newest female jockey will be indentured to Triple Crown-winning trainer and former apprentice Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, and is thrilled to be joining a roster of world-class jockeys.
“I’m really glad and very lucky to be part of the stable in the future. I’ve wanted to ride in Hong Kong for a very long time, so I’m very lucky and very glad that I can finally have the license to ride in Hong Kong, so it’s pretty exciting,” said Yuen.
“Because it’s my first time riding in Hong Kong, and on the biggest stage, maybe there’s a little bit of pressure, but it should be fun after I get used to it.”
Yuen continues to be surrounded by legends of the sport, counting current jockeys Joao Moreira and Craig Williams as mentors. She also has the strong support of South African Champion Jockey and Chief Riding Instructor at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, Felix Coetzee, as well as 2019/20 Champion Trainer Yiu.
“If I have any questions I would just ask Ricky. Felix helps me a lot with all the race rides, and even the tactics and the strength and how to push. It’s good to have them,” said Yuen.
Coetzee holds the apprentice in high regard and has been impressed by her ability so far.
“She’s done a lot of work to get here and we’re very excited to have her here,” said Coetzee.
“She’s learned to be adaptable, she’s a versatile rider now – she can be quick out the gates and ride from the front. She can judge her pace well and in South Africa she learned to settle horses and ride from behind.”
Yuen was in high demand from the training ranks, with Yiu ultimately the successful handler from six interested parties, and he is excited to have such a talented rider on his books.
“I applied to have her when the Club announced that she can ride in Hong Kong. I was among six of the trainers – I’m the lucky one to have her,” said Yiu.
“She’s a very nice person, polite and willing to learn – and loves horses. She’s got some talent, she really wants to learn as much as she can, and she’s aggressive too – and this is what we want from a beginner.”
Australian jockey Ethan Brown will also join the Hong Kong riding ranks from April 26 until the season finale on July 15.
The 11-time Group One winner rode at Sha Tin trials just hours after landing in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning. Brown is currently visiting on a week-long stint while he sees out a recent suspension in Australia, before he settles in at the end next month.
“I’m only here for a week because I’m suspended in Melbourne, so it was a good opportunity to have a look around; it worked out well timing-wise,” said Brown.
“I’ll be able to finish up the Sydney Autumn Carnival and then come over here.”
The 26-year-old is looking forward to gaining experience from riding in the world’s toughest jurisdiction.
“I’d like to leave with a heap more knowledge and experience, I think just learning the new style of racing,” said Brown.
“I’d love to leave here with at least a few winners, that’s what we all come here for, but I understand it’s not a walk in the park and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
