The Hong Kong Jockey Club is set to host an exciting nine-race card on May 7th, 2025, at the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse. The race day begins with the Auteuil Handicap, a 1650-meter turf contest. This Class 5 race offers a prize of HK$875,000. Among the leading contenders are BRAVE OF FRIENDS, ridden by J Orman and trained by D J Whyte; PODIUM, with M F Poon and trainer D Eustace; THE KHAN, guided by H Bowman and trained by C Fownes; THE PRIME, with apprentice Y L Chung and trainer J Richards; and TRADITION, partnered with H Bentley under the care of Y S Tsui. A tightly packed field promises a strong opener.
At 19:05, the Maisons-Laffitte Handicap, run over 1000 meters, also offers HK$875,000 in prize money. NOTTHESILLYONE will be ridden by L Hewitson for trainer M Newnham; SPICY KNUCKLES has M F Poon in the saddle for W K Mo; DAY DAY VICTORY pairs A Badel with T P Yung; RAGNARR will be guided by H Bowman for D J Hall; and HAPPY TANGO lines up with K Teetan and trainer Y S Tsui.
Next is the French May Trophy at 19:35, featuring a 2200-meter distance and a prize of HK$1,170,000. The top three contenders include CAN’T GO WONG, ridden by M F Poon and trained by F C Lor; MIDORI GIANT, with H Bowman for M Newnham; and SERANGOON, piloted by H Bentley and trained by A S Cruz. Key gear changes for these runners suggest a highly competitive outing.
The Chantilly Handicap at 20:05 will be contested over 1200 meters of turf for HK$1,170,000. CIRCUIT DUFFY, guided by M F Poon and trained by F C Lor; GOKO WIN, ridden by H Bowman for D J Whyte; and SMART FIGHTER, with L Ferraris for trainer P F Yiu, headline the field.
At 20:35, the Saint-Cloud Handicap runs over 1650 meters, offering a prize of HK$1,170,000. SETANTA (L Ferraris/M Newnham), SMART TRIO (M L Yeung/C W Chang), and STORMI (C L Chau/T P Yung) are the top selections in this well-matched race.
The France Galop Cup at 21:05 covers 1200 meters for HK$1,170,000. MULTIDUTCH will be ridden by Y L Chung (-3) for A S Cruz; AURIO teams up with Z Purton for D A Hayes; and LOVEISINTHEAIR will be partnered by H Bowman for J Size. This race is expected to produce a close finish.
The second Saint-Cloud Handicap of the evening begins at 21:40. This Class 4 event is contested over 1650 meters, with a prize of HK$1,170,000. Leading contenders include IVY LEAGUE (H Bowman/D J Whyte), COMET SPLENDIDO (H Bentley/C S Shum), and BUCEPHALAS (M Chadwick/W K Mo).
At 22:15, the Deauville Handicap — a Class 3 race over 1650 meters — boasts a lucrative purse of HK$2,050,000. M UNICORN, ridden by E C W Wong and trained by C Fownes; KEEFY, partnered with M F Poon for F C Lor; and LEGENDARY YEARS, guided by M L Yeung under K L Man’s care, round off the top three favorites.
The finale at 22:50 is the Parislongchamp Handicap, a 1200-meter Class 3 sprint with a purse of HK$1,860,000. SUPERB CAPITALIST (Y L Chung/A S Cruz), FAST RESPONDER (H Bowman/D J Whyte), and BEAUTY INFINITY (B Avdulla/J Size) are expected to battle it out in what should be a thrilling end to the evening.
The nine-race schedule promises a highly competitive and action-packed day at Happy Valley, offering fans and punters a full slate of exciting finishes and jockey-trainer storylines to follow.
