Few figures in Hong Kong racing carry the weight of history quite like Ronald Arculli, whose association with the sport stretches back nearly 60 years. Now 87, the former Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club is once again at the centre of attention as his seasoned campaigner Red Lion prepares to defend his title at Sha Tin this weekend.
Red Lion, one of Arculli’s most distinguished runners, lines up in Sunday’s HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), aiming to secure back-to-back victories on FWD Champions Day. It is a rare opportunity to extend an already remarkable ownership record built over decades.
Arculli’s contribution to the sport goes far beyond a single horse. Since the 1970s, he has raced more than 80 horses in various partnerships, with the 1993/94 Triple Crown hero River Verdon standing out as a landmark performer. His roll of honour also includes notable names such as River Jordan, River Dancer and Go-Getter, while international recognition came through Red Cadeaux, winner of the 2012 Hong Kong Vase.
Yet it is Red Lion, now a seven-year-old gelding, who carries the current hopes. Trained by Australian Hall of Famer John Size, the horse returns after a below-par effort when finishing 14th in the Chairman’s Trophy. Jockey Andrea Atzeni, however, remains quietly optimistic.
“His most recent trial and the one before his last run were good, but he just didn’t reproduce that on raceday,” Atzeni said. “The blinkers seemed to sharpen him up in his latest trial. If we get some rain and he has a smooth passage, he can run very well.”
Conditions could play a decisive role. Red Lion’s previous success came when allowed to stride freely, and connections believe he performs best when not crowded along the rail. His front-running victory in last year’s edition, where he made virtually all the running to defeat Voyage Bubble, underlined both his resilience and tactical speed.
“I think he’s happiest when he’s rolling along with space around him,” Atzeni added. “He doesn’t enjoy being boxed in. The blinkers help, and he’s naturally quick from the gates.”
Size, already a dominant force in Hong Kong racing, is chasing a sixth win in the race. His previous successes include Electronic Unicorn, Sight Winner, Contentment and Beauty Eternal, underlining a long-standing affinity with this contest.
Sunday’s programme at Sha Tin promises depth beyond the mile feature. Sprint star Ka Ying Rising returns in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, while the outstanding Romantic Warrior bids for a fourth consecutive QEII Cup, a feat that would further cement his legacy among the sport’s modern greats.
For Arculli, however, the focus remains firmly on Red Lion. Another victory would not merely add to his tally but serve as a fitting continuation of a lifetime spent shaping and celebrating Hong Kong racing at its highest level.
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