6 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Content Benno Yung signs off: ‘I was able to make something that is worth more than money'
Benno Yung Tin-pang hopes the win of Endued last Saturday wasn't the last of his 12-season training career, but if it was he'll head off into retirement more than content with what he's achieved.
With only two meetings to go before he signs off after reaching the Jockey Club's compulsory retirement age of 66, Yung has 360 winners to his name but it's something else he's most proud of.
'I'm quite happy with how I did. Business-wise, I might not have been the most successful, but on the other hand I was able to make something that is worth more than money – it's the friendships and the respect of people,' said Yung, who earned an affectionate moniker for the patience and care he showed his horses.
'Then there's the nickname – they nicknamed me Doctor Yung for how I treat the horses. That's really impressive to me.'
It hasn't been a smooth final season or so for Yung, with the softly spoken handler battling acute myeloid leukaemia.
He's happy to report, however, that he's feeling 'great' as he prepares to saddle up his last Sha Tin runners on Sunday and his final Happy Valley team next Wednesday.
'My health is good – so far, so good. My chemo treatment is finished so I'm just undergoing treatment to maintain and control things,' he said.
'Now I have to look for something to go on with – a new chapter. I'm not sure exactly what I'll do yet – there's no solid plan yet.
'I'll have a short break and see what's happening. I'll wait and see if there is a job in racing suitable for me.'
Yung heads to Sha Tin this weekend with eight runners as he looks to add to his 20 victories so far this season, with last-start winner Fun Together aptly lining up in a race named after the best horse Yung has trained – Pingwu Spark.
Fun Together will carry top weight of 135lb under Jerry Chau Chun-lok, but the six-year-old has scored barrier four for the Class Four Pingwu Spark Handicap (1,400m).
Tourbillon Prince has also drawn nicely in one for the Class Three Sight Winner Handicap (1,600m), while Elegant Life has barrier four for the Class Four Big Profit Handicap (1,200m).
'I hope so and think so,' said Yung when asked how confident he was of tasting that winning feeling again before retirement.
'There's quite a few who are chances and thankfully some of them have got a good draw.'
On Yung's CV are a career-best Hong Kong haul of 39 winners in season 2021-22, while Pingwu Spark placed at Group level on his way to a peak rating of 119.
It's very much business as usual for Yung this week as his career ticks down, but he knows things could be different when that last runner crosses the line at the season finale.
'I'm feeling a bit relieved at the moment. I'm not really emotional now but maybe by next week I will feel something,' he said.
