The Hong Kong Jockey Club heads into the closing stages of its 2025/26 season with one of its brightest local talents enjoying a career-defining campaign. As Happy Valley Racecourse prepares to stage Wednesday evening’s nine-race programme, Jerry Chau finds himself on the verge of securing the Tony Cruz Award while also looking ahead to representing Hong Kong at the Shergar Cup next month.
Happy Valley race preview
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign, riding 47 winners as a senior jockey to sit fifth in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. His impressive season has also given him an 11-win advantage over four-time Tony Cruz Award winner Vincent Ho in the race to be crowned Hong Kong’s leading homegrown rider.
Chau believes the difference this season has come from increased confidence and a greater willingness to seek opportunities.
“I’m very happy at this stage to be leading. I’ve put a lot of effort into this season, and the results are paying off. I’ve done more trackwork, more barrier trials at Conghua, and I’ve asked the trainers for more rides,” Chau said.
“I’m more confident; I’m out there and I’m showing them that I am really hungry.”
Another area of satisfaction has been his improved disciplinary record, allowing him to maintain momentum throughout the campaign.
“I’m happiest about getting less suspensions. It’s been a really big improvement because usually it stops my momentum by missing rides and winners. I have more experience this season and I started off confidently by winning the Group 3 Korea Sprint.”
Although Chau rode 58 winners as an apprentice during the 2020/21 season, this has been widely regarded as his strongest campaign since graduating from apprentice ranks in 2021. He continues to benefit from the local rider’s two-pound allowance, which remains available until he reaches 250 Hong Kong victories.
The season will conclude without Chau in the saddle at the final meeting on 15 July because of suspension, but another major opportunity awaits next month.
He will represent Team Hong Kong alongside Vincent Ho and Luke Ferraris in the prestigious Shergar Cup at Ascot on 8 August.
“I’m excited. It’s a huge honour for me to represent Team Hong Kong. We’ll be against some of the world’s best jockeys at one of the world’s most famous tracks,” Chau said.
Before that international assignment, Chau has a busy evening ahead at Happy Valley, where he is booked for eight rides in Wednesday’s nine-race programme.
Among his leading chances is Danny Shum-trained Romantic Thor in the Class 2 Hat Trick Handicap over 1800 metres after the gelding gained a start following the withdrawal of Without Compare.
Chau also partners The Perfect Match in the Class 4 Goal Handicap over 1200 metres and believes an inside draw could prove decisive.
“I think the draw will help him a lot because he needs a very smooth race without mistakes; then he can run pretty well. He can hang a little in the straight, so I think the inside barrier will really help him.”
While Chau pursues another productive evening, trainer Caspar Fownes is looking to strengthen his grip on the trainers’ championship.
Fownes saddles eight runners, including last-start winner Target Audience in the Class 3 Penalty Shootout Handicap.
“He was quite impressive. He comes up in gate five tomorrow, so there’s no reason why he can’t give us a good performance again,” Fownes said.
“I’ve kept him fresh since that last run and he looks to be in good order. He’s the type of horse who can always put himself in a handy position, so that will always give him a chance at the Valley.”
Brazilian star Joao Moreira will ride all eight of Fownes’ runners. Since becoming the trainer’s stable rider in April, Moreira has partnered 22 winners for the yard.
Fownes has already set a new single-season Happy Valley record with 43 victories at the city circuit, surpassing previous benchmarks established since the track’s redevelopment in 1995. The experienced trainer has claimed the unofficial Happy Valley trainers’ title 11 times.
“It’s an iconic track which I have always loved even when my dad was training. I’ve enjoyed training many winners there and long may it continue,” Fownes said.
“A five-win lead with 29 races left – you’re in a very good position, especially since I’ve planned to have a solid finish over the last three meetings.”
Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting features nine races, beginning with the Class 5 Kick Off Handicap over 1000 metres at 6.30pm local time, as Chau looks to continue the standout season that has established him among Hong Kong racing’s leading riders.
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