In a breathtaking conclusion to the Hong Kong racing season, Matthew Poon emerged as the winner of the prestigious Tony Cruz Award for 2024-25, edging out fellow homegrown jockey Derek Leung in a dramatic countback finish at Happy Valley on July 16. Both jockeys closed the season level with 36 wins and 38 second-place finishes, but Poon’s superior third-placing count of 56 gave him the edge over Leung’s 35, granting him his first Tony Cruz title.
Poon, who had not won in 39 rides since early June, clung on to the top spot thanks to a vital second-place finish aboard Ragnarr earlier in the evening. The title was undecided until the very last race of the season, with both Poon and Leung still in contention. While Leung powered to victory with Regal Gem and Thriving Brothers came up short under Matthew Chadwick, Poon’s earlier results kept him just ahead on the leaderboard.
Leung finished the season in exceptional form, claiming seven wins in the final eight race meetings. Despite his strong finish, he fell narrowly short in what was one of the closest Tony Cruz Award races in recent memory. He acknowledged the healthy competition among local jockeys and expressed optimism about carrying his momentum into the next season.
On the same evening, Zac Purton showed why he remains the benchmark for excellence in Hong Kong racing. The champion jockey notched up 138 wins for the season with a spectacular double, including a record-breaking ride on Beauty Waves in the Lucky Patch Handicap. The Tony Cruz-trained runner shattered the 1200m course record in 1:08.10, previously held since 2022, with a commanding display of speed and control.
Benno Yung signed off from his training career in perfect fashion as Speedy Smartie won the opening race of the night, providing a fitting end to a journey that saw him train 361 winners since receiving his license in 2013. Yung, visibly emotional, shared how meaningful it was to finish on a high note.
Meanwhile, Caspar Fownes added another chapter to his dominance at Happy Valley by reclaiming the “King of the Valley” title with Monarch County’s win. With 27 wins at the city circuit, he surpassed David Newnham’s 24, reinforcing his status as the track’s most successful trainer with a lifetime total of 628 victories.
Elsewhere, Newnham wrapped up a fruitful campaign as Tactical Command sprinted up the inside to take home the Fast Most Furious Handicap, bringing his seasonal tally to 44 wins. Karis Teetan, too, capped the season with a flourish, guiding S J Tourbillon to a third consecutive win and later teaming up with David Hayes to score again aboard Amazing Run.
The Hong Kong Champion Griffin Award went to Sky Jewellery, trained by John Size and owned by Tung Moon Fai. The talented runner made remarkable progress through the season, rising in the ratings from 52 to 79 and posting three victories alongside a runner-up effort.
From emotional farewells to new records and razor-thin title margins, the season finale at Happy Valley delivered a night to remember, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in Hong Kong horse racing.
