David Hayes believes Conghua Racecourse has become an indispensable part of his stable’s success, crediting the state-of-the-art training centre with helping young horses develop into stronger, more complete racehorses. As the 2025/26 Hong Kong season draws to a close, the dual champion trainer says the benefits of preparing horses at the mainland facility are becoming increasingly evident.
Conghua Racecourse.
Hayes has enjoyed notable success with horses based at Conghua before returning to race in Hong Kong. Of his 54 winners this season ahead of Wednesday’s Season Finale at Happy Valley, 20 were prepared at the training centre between runs, underlining the growing influence of the facility on his stable’s campaign.
The experienced Australian horseman believes the trend is only heading in one direction.
“I think I have been one of the leading Conghua stables over the last three years, and I believe next season will be even better,” Hayes said. “Most of my young horses have benefited from training in Conghua. They will continue to improve next season and hopefully become my vintage crop.”
Hayes said exposing young horses to a different environment plays a vital role in their education. Training away from Sha Tin allows them to experience new surroundings while spending more time working on turf, something he considers invaluable in their progression.
“I think young horses learn a lot more by being trained in different surroundings,” he said. “They tend to look around and experience new things, and the most important factor is that they can become accustomed to the grass track. They have more opportunities to train on turf than when they are based at Sha Tin.”
“As a result, they can learn more in Conghua, which helps them mature both mentally and physically.”
Perhaps the finest example of the programme’s success is Ka Ying Rising, widely regarded as the world’s leading sprinter. The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year spent much of his formative career at Conghua Racecourse, where he is again preparing for another international campaign.
Hayes revealed the star sprinter is progressing well ahead of his return to Hong Kong.
“Ka Ying Rising is having a great time in Conghua at the moment,” he said. “He will return to Hong Kong four or five days before the Sha Tin barrier trial in late August as part of his preparation for the season-opener and then The Everest.”
Hayes believes the training base has become a key component of the champion’s preparation.
“Conghua has always been an important part of Ka Ying Rising’s preparation and race build-up. Everyone can see that the best sprinter in the world undergoes training there. We are all looking forward to another exciting season from him.”
Another horse to benefit from the system is Ka Ying Resilience. After spending time on the sidelines through injury, the four-year-old completed his rehabilitation and barrier trials at Conghua before returning to Hong Kong shortly before raceday, where he produced an impressive winning performance.
“Ka Ying Resilience completed all of his recovery work in Conghua,” Hayes said. “He had a break there, completed two barrier trials and then returned to Hong Kong only two days before raceday – and he won.”
Hayes also praised the centre’s rehabilitation facilities, saying the quieter surroundings and excellent training surfaces provide ideal conditions for horses recovering from injury.
“Conghua is very good for injured horses for three reasons. Firstly, the tracks are excellent. Secondly, the environment is not as busy as Sha Tin. Thirdly, horses based in Conghua benefit from outstanding rehabilitation facilities such as the water walker,” he said.
Beyond its role as a training base, Hayes expects Conghua Racecourse to become a popular venue once regular race meetings begin.
“Conghua Racecourse will be a very good racing venue and I think it will become very popular,” he said. “I am very much looking forward to regular racing there and will support it as strongly as possible.”
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, Hayes is optimistic that the experience gained by his younger horses will translate into improved performances.
“Young horses need time, but they should be much better next season,” he said.
Among those he expects to progress is Stormy Knight, a three-year-old son of Headwater who lines up in Wednesday’s Class 4 Super Oasis Handicap over 1200 metres at Happy Valley. The gelding spent time training at Conghua last month and Hayes believes maturity will bring further improvement.
“Stormy Knight is still young and he will learn more from Wednesday’s race,” Hayes said. “He will be a better horse as a four-year-old next term.”
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