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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Three jockeys sent to hospital and one horse fatally injured in horror incident
Three jockeys were rushed to hospital after an horrific incident in which a horse suffered a fatal injury. Lyle Hewitson, Jerry Chau and Karis Teetan were riding in race 5 at Happy Valley, in Hong Kong, on Wednesday, a 5f race handicap. South African Hewitson was riding the 2-1 favourite Seasons Wit, trained by Jamie Richards, when tragedy struck. The horse was being ridden to make a challenge from over a furlong out when he fell 75 yards from the line. Eternal Fortune, ridden by Chau, and Teetan's mount Watch This One were right behind Seasons Wit and were brought down, unable to avoid the stricken favourite. Medics rushed to the aid of the riders who were all transferred to hospital for further assessment. A Hong Kong Jockey Club statement said: 'Lyle Hewitson and Jerry C L Chau are both conscious following the incident. Karis Teetan, who was also dislodged and is conscious, subsequently stood down from his remaining riding engagements. 'The Club's Veterinary Officer reported that Seasons Wit suffered a catastrophic fracture of the left forefetlock and could not be saved following the incident, while Eternal Fortunre and Watch This One were sent to the equine hospital for further examination.' In a further announcement the HKJC said x-rays had revealed that Hewitson had 'fractures of his wrist and suspected ankle, with no other identities injuries and he remains under observation'. The imaging revealed no injuries to Chau who also remained under observation. Teetan was undergoing precautionary imaging.' Mauritian Teetan has become one of the top riders in Hong Kong and was called up to ride the world's top sprinter Ka Ying Rising to win a Group 1 in February when regular partner Zac Purton was sidelined. The rider, who is due to compete in Ascot's Shergar Cup in August, is sixth in the standings with 38 wins. Hewitson, who has ridden 28 winners ,and Chau, 21. had both ridden winners earlier on the card.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Trio of jockeys taken to hospital following horror incident at Happy Valley
Karis Teetan (right) limps away from Wednesday night's horror Happy Valley fall, while Lyle Hewitson is treated on the track. Photo: Kenneth Chan Lyle Hewitson, Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Karis Teetan were taken to hospital after a horror fall during the Class Three St George's Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Hewitson was speared into the turf when $3 favourite Seasons Wit came down around 75m from the line after fracturing his left fore fetlock, with the South African jockey suffering a fractured wrist and a suspected fractured ankle. Seasons Wit fell in front of Eternal Fortune under Chau and Teetan's mount, Watch This One, and while both gallopers managed to keep their feet, Chau and Teetan also fell. In a club statement, it was reported that Hewitson and Chau were conscious following the incident and taken to hospital for further medical examination. Teetan limped away from the pile-up and was later stood down from his remaining rides before going to hospital for precautionary scans. Superb Capitalist and Matthew Chadwick get up late to win. The club confirmed imaging of Chau 'has not identified any injuries' and Teetan 'has no identified serious injuries'. Hewitson and Chau remained under observation overnight. The Jamie Richards-trained Seasons Wit could not be saved and was humanely euthanised, while the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Watch This One and Danny Shum Chap-shing's Eternal Fortune were taken to the equine hospital for further examination. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. The race was ultimately won by the Tony Cruz-trained Superb Capitalist, who pinched the prize from Youthful Spirits in the final bounds after a brilliant ride by jockey Matthew Chadwick. Both Hewitson and Chau rode winners before their falls, with Chau coming from behind midfield to strike on My Day My Way in the second section of the Class Four Hereford Handicap (1,200m). It was a first win at the seventh attempt for the Shum-trained four-year-old, who powered home down the outside to overhaul New Power in the last few strides for a most unlikely success. My Day My Way storms home with @JerryChau15! 🤯 The favourite arrives in the nick of time at the Valley, registering his first win at his seventh start for Danny Shum... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2025 'He ran a tremendous race. I knew coming to the outside would be hard but we were very lucky,' Shum said. 'The last 20m, he was very strong. I think he can win in Class Three as well. I'll give him a break now and wait for next season.' Things got even better for Shum later on the card when Wrote A New Page kept up a relentless gallop to go from pillar to post in section one of the Class Four Lancashire Handicap (1,650m). Hewitson got on the scoresheet for a relieved David Hayes, who snapped a 39-runner losing sequence when Amazing Run lived up to his name to win the second section of the Lancashire Handicap. Amazing Run leaves them flat-footed at Happy Valley! @LyleHewitson grabs a third win from the past two fixtures... 🔥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2025 The Zoustar galloper won on his seasonal return back in September but had to wait nine runs to get back on the scoresheet, charging home from the back of the pack to win a shade cosily. 'He's had a really unlucky year with bad barriers – tonight included – but Hewitson rode a great race and he won like a good horse, so we're very happy,' said Hayes. There was also a double on the card for trainer Michael Chang Chun-wai, who scooped the first race – the Class Five Chester Handicap (1,200m) – with the Derek Leung Ka-chun-ridden Woodfire Champ. Woodfire Champ keeps on finding! 💪 Derek Leung guides Michael Chang's galloper to a second win in the opener at Happy Valley... #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 25, 2025 After New Power was cruelly claimed by My Day My Way late on in the next race, Chang was quickly back in the winners' enclosure when Amazing Victory overhauled $3.6 favourite Fun Elite in the third section of the Hereford Handicap. In the race for the Tony Cruz Award for the leading local jockey, Matthew Chadwick slashed Matthew Poon Ming-fai's lead down to two with a double of his own, spearheaded by Another Zonda's gutsy win in the Class Three Renfrew Handicap (1,650m). The first leg of his double came aboard the Cruz-trained Superb Capitalist.
New Paper
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
June 25 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) 2 Winning Heart draws barrier 4 after two runs from gate 12, and that gives his chances a clear boost. He is well placed to pick up another win. 7 So Awesome maps well again from a soft draw and would not have many excuses. He was only beaten a neck last start and stays in the mix. 1 Triumphant Warrior drops in class and gets Zac Purton back on, which brings him right into it. 12 Multidarling is a lightweight chance. His recent runs have been encouraging and while hard to trust on a win line, he could fill a hole. Race 2 (1,200m) 5 My Day My Way has had no luck with barriers, so gate 8 is a small win. He has gone down a head in back-to-back runs and looks ready to go one better. 4 Monarch County might be looking for further but brings solid Sha Tin form to the Valley for the first time. He maps well and can be competitive. 7 New Power is holding form and will roll forward to take a position on speed. He gives himself every chance. 6 Fortune Warrior is tricky to catch but maps to lead from barrier 3 and gets the set-up to give a sight. Race 3 (1,200m) 1 Fun Elite drops back into Class 4 and that alone makes him hard to ignore. He has the speed to push forward and can make his own luck. 7 Victor The Rapid showed sharp improvement first-up for Pierre Ng, charging home into second. He is ready to go one better. 4 Thunder Prince had no luck last start, badly held up in the straight before diving through late to miss by a head. 10 Vulcanus is a 16-start maiden in the grade but has been consistent, placing in five of those, including back-to-back seconds. Drawn well in barrier 3 and must be kept safe. Race 4 (1,650m) 1 Galaxy Witness has found form again since dropping back to Class 4. He has hit the line well in two runs over 1,200m, and the rise in trip looks key to breaking through. 4 Good Luck Win is better suited back in Class 4. Class 3 was a stretch and wide draws did not help, but he stuck on and this shapes much better. 3 Chain Of Gold also drops in grade and gets Purton from barrier 2, which puts him right in the picture. 5 Amazing Award draws ideally in gate 1 and has been consistent all season for David Eustace. If he uses the draw, he stays in the mix. Race 5 (1,000m) 2 Seasons Wit got all the favours from barrier 1 last start and put them to good use, winning with authority. He has trialled well since and from the same draw again, he gets every chance to repeat. 4 Eternal Fortune is a better chance back to 1,000m. Two runs ago, he was runner-up to Seasons Wit, and last start, he was caught deep from barrier 12 over 1,200m and faded after doing plenty of early work. This suits much better. 9 Parents' Love returns to his pet track and trip, and will be up on the speed, though he may face pressure in a race with a few going forward. 1 Youthful Spirits resumes off a break and has not won in over a year, but he is capable of giving a sight first-up. Race 6 (1,200m) 2 Never Too Soon draws a big upgrade into gate 1 after jumping from 12 last time. He is well rated in Class 4 and comes right into the mix. 3 Lahore is building towards a win after three runs over 1,000m at Sha Tin. His third last start held good merit after blundering early and he looks ready to strike. 6 Bits Superstar broke through last start after a close-up third and remains a strong chance to go on with it. 8 Savvy Twinkle maps to get the run of the race from an inside draw. He was backed last start before pulling up with blood in the trachea and is worth another chance. Race 7 (1,650m) 3 Wrote A New Page is a three-year-old on the rise. He put it all together last start to shed his maiden tag, doing it well at his first look over this course and trip. 7 California Moxie took time to find his feet across a few distances, but now that he has, he has gone back-to-back in strong style. A hat-trick looks within reach. 2 Capital Legend is hard to fault. He finished second to Wrote A New Page two starts back, then came out a week later and won comfortably. 5 Setanta tends to get back in his races but ran on well for sixth behind Wrote A New Page last time. That form reads well again. Race 8 (1,650m) 8 Stellar Swift tried this course and distance for the first time last start, went back from a wide gate and found the line well. Drawn better now, he should settle closer in the run and looks the one to beat. 1 Sky Trust draws wide but with little speed engaged, he can roll forward and land in a good spot. He ran a promising third over this course and trip last time, and both wins this season have come when settling handy. He gets his chance. 3 Aestheticism had excuses late last time when checked in the straight, so there was merit in his third placing. He is always a chance in races like this and will be closing from midfield. 5 Hameron could not find clean air in the run home last start but was not beaten far. Race 9 (1,200m) 1 Storm Rider returned to winning form last start with blinkers on for the first time, surging clear by over three lengths from barrier 2. He now draws even better in 1 and can win again. 3 Power Koepp has been in top form since joining Mark Newnham, posting two wins and two seconds from four starts. He settled further back than usual last time but closed off strongly. He maps to get every chance from barrier 4. 7 Dragon Four Seas has already won four races this season, including over Power Koepp last time. He is holding form. 4 Charming Legend resumes and goes well fresh with two wins from three first-up runs. His trial was sound and while 1,200m is a query, he is one to keep in mind at odds. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Seasons Wit out to double up but draw woes plague Jamie Richards at Happy Valley
Jamie Richards has copped the two extremes of the barrier draw for Wednesday night's Happy Valley fixture but he was relieved to see Seasons Wit come out unscathed with the inside gate for the Class Three St George's Challenge Cup (1,000m). His speedster has relished the drop back to the minimum distance in his past two starts after plying his trade over further for most of this campaign. All four of his wins have come over Wednesday's course and distance and he returned to form with a bang when second from a wide gate two starts ago. He followed that up with a first win since October 2023 when charging home in the Class Three Choi Wan Handicap (1,000m) last month and he has gone up 7lb in the ratings as a result. Seasons Wit is a winner again! @LyleHewitson guides the @JamieRichards3-trained 5YO gelding to a fourth course and distance triumph... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025 Rated in the high 90s at one stage last season, Richards is hopeful his five-year-old can continue doing damage despite his rating going up to 74. 'Barrier one is obviously very helpful. I haven't had much luck for any of my other runners so it's nice for him to get a good gate at least,' said Richards. 'The field looks a bit stronger and there's obviously a few more of them in there, but he's trained on really well from his last start and I'm really looking forward to him. 'I've tried running him over the 1,400m and 1,200m distances this season but he's suited a return to the 1,000m trip, so fingers crossed for a big run.' HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Treble up at Sha Tin! 🔥@zpurton moves to 1,803 wins, 10 shy of the 1,813 all-time record in Hong Kong, with a three-timer as Storming Dragon is strong in victory... @JamieRichards3 #LuckyStart | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 1, 2025 Unfortunately for Richards, most of his runners on the card drew short straws in terms of the draw, including his perennially unlucky Storming Dragon. He goes in the card-ending Class Three Selkirk Handicap (1,200m) and will need to overcome the car park draw in stall 12 if he is to defy an unlucky sequence. The Star Turn galloper has finished in the top four in four of his past five runs – including a pair of placings in his past two starts – despite drawing barrier eight for three of those. Most recently, he finished second to the heavily-punted Storm Rider in the Class Three Stanley Gap Handicap (1,200m), where he was the only horse to make any sort of ground from the rear of the pack. Jamie Richards hopes Storming Dragon can overcome a woeful draw. Richards is desperate for a change of luck with his dual winner, but is still hopeful of a big run regardless of his barrier misfortune. 'The poor horse just can't draw a gate, but when you go to the Valley you take the chance that you're either going to draw well or not,' said Richards. 'He's going well enough to still be competitive despite stall 12, but it doesn't make life any easier.' A four-time champion trainer in his native New Zealand, Richards sits on the 21-winner mark for the campaign in his third Hong Kong season.
South China Morning Post
04-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Alexis Badel bids to maintain strong form at Happy Valley: ‘I'm looking to continue on that'
Alexis Badel is aiming to extend his recent run of success to the Valley on Wednesday night. Photos: Kenneth Chan After booting home six winners in February, Frenchman sets sights on more success at city circuit with eight rides Fresh from his most successful month of the season, Alexis Badel hopes to continue his strong form at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with the consistent Spicy Gold headlining his eight rides. After managing just nine wins from the first five months of the term, the Frenchman was one of several jockeys to capitalise on picking up stronger rides after four riders were injured in two separate falls on February 9. 'I wasn't expecting anything less. With many jockeys injured or suspended, it's been good to end up with some good books of rides and to deliver,' Badel said after booting home six winners in February. 'I'm looking to continue on that and build on that.' Spicy Gold circles the field for a third consecutive win at Happy Valley! 🤯 The in-form son of So You Think gives Mark Newnham a double from the first five races... @AlexisBadel #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 16, 2024 Badel believes Spicy Gold strikes an ideal race in the Class Three New Lantao Bus Handicap (1,200m), with the Mark Newnham-trained gelding bidding to add to his three Valley wins in succession last year. Since completing his hat-trick in October, Spicy Gold has notched a pair of close seconds and two unlucky fifths. Newnham has opted to remove the hood and add pacifiers to the son of So You Think's gear and he has drawn barrier five in Wednesday night's field of 10. 'He's got a good draw and his form's good,' Badel said. 'I believe the race is open, but without underestimating anyone, I think he's found a race that could suit. He used to do a lot wrong but now he's more mature. He's a talented horse and deserves another win.' In an even race to finish the nine-event card, Spicy Gold clashes with Valley specialist Sugar Sugar, last-start runner-up Eason, Seasons Wit, Sports Legend, A Americ Te Specso, California Deeply, Legendary Impact, Aurio and Sweet Briar. Badel has solid claims in another Class Three on Wednesday night, The Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary Cup (1,200m), when he rides Beauty Infinity. In his return from a fetlock injury, the John Size-trained gelding stormed home from last to run an eye-catching fourth to Beauty Destiny on February 19. 'He's a good ride. I thought his last run was really good. He was taken back early and he finished on very strongly,' Badel said. Wow, Beauty Destiny! 🤯 Frankie Lor's sprinter just keeps getting better as he saunters to a fourth win from his past five starts... @Atzenijockey #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 19, 2025 'He's got a better gate [barrier two], so that should help me to be in a more reasonable spot and if he hits the line strong, he should be running very well.' Golden Fairy, Gimme Five, Santorini, Silver Spurs, Can't Go Wong and En Perfecto are Badel's other Valley rides. 'Can't Go Wong is always competitive and strong at the course and distance. He's got a bit of weight but I think if the pace is good, he will finish well,' Badel said of the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained gelding, who carries 134 pounds in the Class Four Kwoon Chung Inclusive & Accessible Service Handicap (1,800m). Badel said his rides at Sha Tin on Sunday include Unbelievable, who returns from a tendon injury in a Class Two over 1,800m, last-start winner Brilliant Express, Happy Regency Star and Beauty Live.
