Alexis Badel brought up a notable personal milestone at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, guiding home a late double to record his 300th winner in Hong Kong and cap a productive return to the saddle following suspension.
The French rider, who has steadily built a reputation for consistency in the city’s competitive ranks, closed the meeting with victories aboard The Auspicious and Jubilant Winner, striking in quick succession to reach the landmark. It was a moment that arrived with little warning, even to the jockey himself.
“It’s great,” Badel said afterwards. “Eva, my wife, told me I was close to 300, but I didn’t realise how close I actually was. I didn’t come to the races thinking I would achieve it tonight. Coming back from suspension, it’s always good to ride winners and I’m very happy.”
His achievement comes just days before he faces one of the sternest assignments of the season — partnering Beauty Waves against the formidable Ka Ying Rising in Sunday’s HK$24 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. Badel, a two-time winner of the race aboard Wellington in 2021 and 2022, acknowledged the scale of the task ahead.
“Beauty Waves is a very nice horse. He’s got quality and he’s fighting against the top horses right now,” he said. “He ran a good race the other day and I am looking for another good run from him.”
Wednesday’s double was anchored by a strong performance from The Auspicious, who continued his fine campaign with a fourth win of the season in the Class 3 Oncidium Handicap (1800m). Settled near the rear turning for home, the gelding produced a sustained finish down the centre of the track to claim his fifth career success.
Moments later, Jubilant Winner completed the brace for trainer Jamie Richards with a decisive front-running display in the Class 3 Roselle Handicap (1200m), registering his fourth victory of the campaign.
Elsewhere on the card, visiting rider Ethan Brown made an immediate impact, partnering Shooting To Top to victory in the Class 4 Geranium Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo. It was just his third ride in Hong Kong.
“I’m over the moon,” Brown said. “Everything worked out really well. We found a good position and he was too strong in the finish.”
Brown spoke candidly about the demands of Happy Valley’s tight configuration but expressed confidence in adapting quickly. “It’s a very quick and tight track. You have to be on your A game, but I’m picking it up as I go.”
Trainer John Size continued his steady climb up the championship standings as Nebraskan broke through for his first Hong Kong success in the Class 5 Flamingo Flower Handicap (1200m) under Andrea Atzeni. The victory marked Size’s 41st of the campaign, keeping him within range of the leading group headed by Caspar Fownes.
David Hayes and Zac Purton combined effectively with Vigor Eye in the Class 4 Lavender Handicap (1200m), while Purton later secured a double aboard Thunder Prince in the Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap.
Jerry Chau strengthened his position in the Tony Cruz Award standings with a win aboard Podium in the Class 5 Freesia Handicap (1650m), extending his lead over Vincent Ho.
Danny Shum also enjoyed a timely boost as King Profit delivered from a wide draw in the Class 4 Heather Handicap (1000m), while Casa Of Honor notched his first local success in the Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap (1000m) for trainer Michael Chang.
Attention now turns to Sha Tin on Sunday, where FWD Champions Day will showcase three Group 1 contests — the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), Champions Mile (1600m), and QEII Cup (2000m) — with Badel’s milestone fresh in the memory as he prepares for another high-stakes test at the top level.
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