The curtain came down on the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 15 July, with David Eustace producing a memorable three-win performance, while Caspar Fownes and Zac Purton secured the season’s top honours in the trainers’ and jockeys’ championships respectively.
Happy Valley season finale.
Eustace’s treble matched the best single-meeting return of his Hong Kong career and provided a fitting finish to a campaign in which his stable continued to make steady progress. His trio of winners lifted his seasonal tally to 38 victories, surpassing last term’s total of 36 and underlining the stable’s growing presence in the local ranks.
The evening also confirmed the destination of the major season-long honours. Fownes claimed his fifth Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 69 winners, finishing ahead of Danny Shum on 65 and Mark Newnham on 61. In the jockeys’ standings, Purton ended another dominant campaign with 143 victories, comfortably ahead of Hugh Bowman (64) and Andrea Atzeni (63).
Shum rounded off one of the finest seasons of his training career when three-year-old Winning Champion landed the Class 4 Star Shine Handicap over 1200 metres. The result capped a personal-best campaign, with Shum recording his highest-ever seasonal tally while finishing runner-up in the trainers’ championship.
Reflecting on the achievement, Shum thanked his owners, stable staff and family for their support throughout the season. He said Winning Champion had been kept fresh for the assignment and benefitted from the rain-softened surface, adding that the colt had deserved to earn a victory before the season concluded.
Mark Newnham also ended the campaign on a winning note as Crimson Flash captured the Class 2 Lucky Patch Handicap over 1200 metres after edging Lucky With You in a close finish. It was the final runner of Newnham’s season and another reminder of a highly successful year that included victories in the BMW Hong Kong Derby with Invincible Ibis and the Group 1 FWD Champions Mile with My Wish.
Newnham described the campaign as one that exceeded expectations and praised Crimson Flash’s consistency, noting the horse had now won six of his 16 starts in Hong Kong while proving equally effective at both Happy Valley and Sha Tin.
David Hayes completed the season with 56 winners, sharing fourth place in the trainers’ standings with Francis Lui. Hayes celebrated success through Starry Show, who registered a first career victory in the Class 4 Fast Most Furious Handicap over 1200 metres under Richard Kingscote, while stable veteran Harmony N Blessed claimed the Class 3 Sun Jewellery Handicap.
The nine-year-old Harmony N Blessed displayed his customary determination, defeating Danica’s Choice by a nose to record his 11th career victory from 80 starts. The popular gelding also pushed his lifetime earnings beyond HK$19.3 million.
Much of the attention, however, centred on Eustace’s outstanding evening. Veteran Fashion Legend opened the trainer’s account by taking the Class 5 Silver Grecian Handicap over 1650 metres under Joao Moreira before Kyrus Treasure followed up in the Class 4 Turin Warrior Handicap over 1800 metres. Kingscote later partnered Gratifide to victory in the Class 4 Super Oasis Handicap, completing the stable’s three-timer.
Eustace credited the rain for helping Fashion Legend produce his best form, explaining that the horse had long been waiting for softer ground after spending much of his Hong Kong career racing on firmer surfaces. He also praised Moreira’s ride and thanked the Brazilian jockey for making himself available despite his long association with other leading stables.
Kingscote, who finished the season with 16 winners, said it was satisfying to contribute victories for both Hayes and Eustace on the final programme of the campaign. He also praised Eustace’s handling of Gratifide, noting the addition of blinkers had made a positive difference.
Kyrus Treasure continued his perfect record over the Happy Valley 1800-metre course and distance, making it two wins from two attempts. Eustace said the horse had taken time to understand racing but had now found his ideal conditions around the Valley circuit.
Elsewhere on the card, Luke Ferraris combined with Tony Cruz as Shamz won the Class 4 Sweet Orange Handicap over 1650 metres. Formerly known as Amazing Fluke in New Zealand, Shamz had previously finished third in the 2025 Group 2 Waikato Guineas before joining Hong Kong.
Ferraris expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, saying he hoped the victory would strengthen his partnership with Cruz in the coming season.
The final race of the campaign saw Karis Teetan and trainer Dennis Yip combine for victory with Thriving Brothers in the Class 3 Encountered Handicap over 1650 metres, bringing the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season to a close after another memorable year at Happy Valley and Sha Tin.
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