HORSE WISDOM
EVEN THOUGH ENTHUSIASTS OF THE SPORT OF KINGS ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL, THEY CAN STILL ENJOYS THE THRILLS OF TOP CLASS RACES HELD OVERSEAS
ALTHOUGH OVERSEAS TRAVEL has been curtailed as a result of the pandemic, horse-racing enthusiasts here in Hong Kong can still enjoy several of the thrilling horse-racing events that are still taking place around the world – and, in the comfort of their own homes, they’ve also been able to enhance their experience and understanding of this global sport at its best.
As a result of the globalisation of horse racing, local racing fans have become more interested in top-class races held overseas, an increasing number of overseas races are now being broadcast live to Hong Kong. These include the Melbourne Cup, which is always held each year on the first Tuesday in November. Under normal circumstances, Flemington Racecourse would host many thousands of racegoers, all dressed to impress and out to enjoy one of the great races on the international horse-racing calendar.
Horse racing, fashion, wine, food, and culture are all inherent to the style and atmosphere of this uniquely Australian celebration. Indeed, this long-distance race whose history goes back 160 years is not only about horse racing but is also a social and cultural event in which the entire country participates. It’s truly the race that “stops the nation”.
Although the pandemic made it impossible to visit the Flemington Racecourse and join this grand event in person last November, members of The Racing Club could still enjoy a luncheon at The Club, and witness the Melbourne Cup races at via live broadcast. Moreover, as there are key differences between racing in Hong Kong and overseas, a virtual forum with racing experts held the day before enabled members to gain insights into many of these variations, from the racecourse and track conditions, to race pace, training routines and the jockeys’ race strategies.
One nugget of racing lore many members picked up concerned the genetic differences between horses bred in Australia and those from overseas. Owing to variations in types of body, muscle fibre and heart-lung function, European horses tend to be better over longer distances, while those from Australia perform better in sprints, with the result that in the past 10 years, five Melbourne Cup-winners were bred overseas.
Another virtual forum orgaised by The Racing Club was devoted to Met Day, the richest race meeting on the African continent and one of
South Africa’s “Big Three” events. South African-born jockey Lyle Hewitson was on hand to explain why the race pace tends to be slower than in Hong Kong, and how jockeys develop tactics to encourage their mounts to run faster – and to do so earlier.
In addition to simulcast races, online previews of major local races and forums on various racing-related topics enable experts to share racing-related knowledge with members. For example, in a rare opportunity to learn about breeding, training, and investment in horse racing, last October members were given tips on buying a horse by Danny Rolston, the sales manager of New Zealand Bloodstock.
Although nothing can ever beat attending a horse race in person, enthusiasts can still sustain their interest and grow their knowledge of thoroughbred horse racing at a time when many normal activities have been curtailed.