Hong Kong Trainers’ Championship Battle headlines the closing stages of the season at Sha Tin Racecourse, where the fight for the trainers’ title has tightened dramatically with only a handful of meetings remaining before the campaign concludes in July. With Danny Shum narrowly ahead and experienced rivals including David Hayes, Mark Newnham and Caspar Fownes all within striking distance, every fixture is beginning to carry championship significance.
Hong Kong Trainers’ Championship Battle
David Hayes, a familiar and respected figure in Hong Kong racing circles, is once again firmly in the conversation as the season heads into its final stretch.
The veteran trainer, who previously lifted the title in successive seasons during his first stint in Hong Kong in 1997/98 and 1998/99, has made no secret of his ambition to add a third championship to his record. Now 63, Hayes believes he remains firmly in contention as the numbers begin to tighten at the top of the table.
“I would love to win again,” Hayes said, reflecting on a campaign that has already delivered 48 winners so far. “I ran second last year and fifth the year before. I’m entrenched in the top five, so I think I will be right up there and, whether it is this year, next year or the year after, I would dearly love to win a premiership before I finish up.”
Hayes currently sits fourth with 17 meetings remaining from the season’s 88 fixtures, trailing leader Danny Shum, who has struck 54 wins. The race remains finely balanced, with Mark Newnham on 52 victories and Caspar Fownes close behind on 51. Francis Lui (47) and John Size (45) are also within striking distance, ensuring little margin for error across the final weeks.
“It’s very open at the moment. That might change if someone gets a run on, but it’s very even and every week it’s someone’s turn and they go up the ladder,” Hayes observed.
The contest for the trainers’ championship has become one of the defining narratives of the season, with Hayes openly acknowledging the fine margins that will decide the outcome.
“For me, it all depends on how my young horses come up. I’m relying on them late in the season to hopefully carry me through, but my concern is I’ve got a little bit of a tail. There’s quite a number that I don’t think can win,” he said.
“I suppose everyone has those but I look at mine more than anyone else’s. That’s what worries me a little bit, and you don’t want to be forcing your young horses – if they come on naturally, I’m a chance.”
While a winless May has tested patience, Hayes’ stable produced a solid April return with eight victories, offering encouragement that momentum could yet return at a crucial stage. Attention now turns to several promising types, including Turin Champions, who Hayes believes could play an important role in shaping the final outcome.
“I do like Turin Champions, I think he is going to be a very nice stayer towards the back end of the season,” he said of the three-year-old, who has already shown steady progression with a win and two runner-up finishes from eight starts, most recently finishing fourth over a mile at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong Trainers’ Championship Battle
“There are some who are about to step out trialling in the next week or so, so fingers crossed. You need a couple that can put two or three (wins) together. Whether I have got them or not, I will find out very soon.”
Hayes will saddle seven runners at Sha Tin this Sunday (17 May), with Bustling City among those expected to line up after a last-start third-place finish on a quick eight-day turnaround.
The final weeks promise to test depth, planning and timing, as the trainers’ championship standings 2026 continue to evolve with every meeting.
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