A turbulent afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, February 9, resulted in four prominent jockeys spending the night in the hospital and the tragic loss of a racehorse. Vincent Ho, Zac Purton, Angus Chung, and Keith Yeung all sustained injuries during two separate incidents, leading to their withdrawal from the upcoming Wednesday night races.
The first accident occurred during the Class Four TVB Po Leung Kuk Gala Spectacular Handicap (1,200m), where Vincent Ho suffered a dangerous fall. His mount, Oldtown, clipped heels as he attempted to push through a tight gap near the finish line. Preliminary medical assessments suggest Ho may have fractures in his neck and shoulder region, though he remains conscious and responsive. Racing officials indicated that further evaluations will determine the extent of his recovery period, but an extended break appears likely.
Ho’s fall adds to a series of setbacks for the jockey, who previously endured a fractured vertebra in Japan last year. More recently, he was sidelined after multiple spills on home turf. Despite these challenges, he remains a resilient competitor, though this latest incident could see him out of action for weeks.
Later in the day, a separate, far more alarming accident unfolded in the ninth race, resulting in a three-horse pile-up. The distressing scene was triggered when Legend St Paul’s broke down in the home stretch of the Class Three TVB Midlife, Sing & Shine 3 Handicap (1,800m). This caused an unavoidable chain reaction, as the fallen horse took down Silvery Breeze, ridden by Purton, and Lupo Solitario, piloted by Yeung.
Tragically, Legend St Paul’s suffered injuries severe enough that euthanasia was deemed necessary. The other horses involved managed to escape without major harm. On the human side, Yeung sustained bruising to his upper thigh, while Purton dislocated a toe on his left foot. Chung, who was aboard the fallen horse, suffered facial and upper body bruises and underwent additional medical imaging. Initial reports suggest that none of the riders sustained life-threatening injuries, but each will require further assessment before returning to competition.
For Purton, this latest fall serves as a grim reminder of his past injuries. The Hong Kong champion jockey previously endured multiple fractures following a serious crash in the 2021 Hong Kong Sprint. While his current condition is less severe, he now faces a race against time to recover before his scheduled ride on Ka Ying Rising in the prestigious Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup later this month.
In response to the unexpected absence of these four riders, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has lifted the suspensions of Andrea Atzeni and Alexis Badel, ensuring a sufficient number of jockeys for Wednesday night’s races. Looking ahead to the weekend, British riders Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle will be flown in to provide additional options for owners and trainers.
Racing officials have postponed formal inquiries into both incidents until the injured jockeys are available for questioning. These events highlight the inherent dangers of the sport, an issue that had been discussed just hours before the accidents. According to Jockey Club officials, a meeting was held earlier in the day to reinforce the importance of rider safety. While the discussions were not directly linked to the incidents that followed, officials emphasized the need for increased caution within the racing community.
As the investigation continues, the Hong Kong racing world turns its attention to the well-being of the affected jockeys while mourning the loss of Legend St Paul’s. The events of the day serve as yet another stark reminder of the risks that define the sport, even for the most seasoned professionals.
