A landmark afternoon unfolded at Sha Tin on 27th December, where quiet achievement spoke louder than any overt celebration as Frankie Lor reached a defining milestone in his career. The softly spoken trainer recorded his 500th Hong Kong victory in fitting fashion, while Numbers emerged from the same meeting as a genuine Four-Year-Old Classic contender, adding depth and resonance to an already memorable Sunday.
Lor’s milestone arrived early on the card when three-year-old Salon S showed authority and composure to claim the Class 4 Wong Chuk Wan Handicap over 1400 metres. By Zousain and carrying 134lb, Salon S travelled smoothly and asserted late, delivering Lor’s 500th local success with a performance that hinted at further progress.
The afternoon gathered greater momentum later when Numbers stepped into the spotlight in the Class 2 Long Ke Handicap over 2000 metres. Formerly raced in Australia under the name King Of Thunder, the Tivaci gelding had arrived in Hong Kong with strong credentials, including a second placing in the Queensland Derby. Under Derek Leung, Numbers was sent straight to the lead and gradually increased the pressure from the 800-metre mark, refusing to yield when challenged.
Winning Wing closed resolutely but was held at bay by a length, with Gentlemen Legacy another neck away in third as Numbers stopped the clock at 2m 0.94s. The win against older opposition underlined stamina, resolve and versatility, attributes that place the four-year-old firmly in Classic calculations.
Hong Kong Racing Results 27 December Highlight Derby Path
In the aftermath, Lor confirmed that Classic Series planning was already under discussion. With races spanning 1600, 1800 and 2000 metres, decisions will be shaped by the gelding’s natural strengths rather than ambition alone.
“He’s a big, strong horse with a big stride,” Lor explained. “The jockey feels 2000 metres is still not enough for him. He’s shown before that he can handle further, and he’s quite easy to train despite his size.”
Leung echoed that confidence, noting Numbers’ ability to lead or settle with cover. “He’s got a big engine,” the rider said. “Even at 2400 metres he’d be comfortable, and when he learns to relax even more, there’s plenty still to come.”
Lor’s journey to this milestone has been built on steady growth rather than spectacle. A former apprentice jockey, he served under John Size and John Moore before saddling his first runner in 2017 and winning immediately. His debut season yielded 65 victories, setting the tone for a career defined by consistency and timely excellence.
That foundation quickly produced elite success, including a Group 1 double at the Hong Kong International Races in 2018 and a clean sweep of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series in 2019. Further top-level triumphs followed, culminating in the trainers’ championship in the 2021–22 season. Sunday’s win marked victory number 500 from 4,483 starters, achieved at a strike rate that reflects sustained quality.
Beyond Lor’s headline achievements, the meeting offered strong performances across the programme. Manfred Man continued a standout campaign when Aurio dominated the first section of the Class 4 Tai Long Tsui Handicap over 1200 metres, while Foremost Teddy added a second straight success in the Class 5 Yung Shue O Handicap on dirt.
Mount Everest finished powerfully to win the second section of the Tai Long Tsui Handicap, and Luke Ferraris celebrated his birthday with a composed ride aboard Happy Boss in the Class 4 Tai Tan Handicap. Sight Dreamer delivered another success for John Size, while Magnifique maintained his impressive strike rate with a sharp victory in the Class 3 Sham Chung Handicap.
The meeting closed with further depth as New Forest and Jumbo Treasure rounded out the card, ensuring Hong Kong racing results 27 December reflected both elite milestones and everyday excellence within the sport.
Attention now turns to the New Year’s Day fixture at Sha Tin, where the Chinese Club Challenge Cup will usher in the next chapter of the season.
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