Pride and joy of racehorse ownership

As if living out his dream, Stanley Chan Ka-leung is the proud owner of Golden Sixty, which has been crowned Horse of the Year for the last two years. Over the years, he has owned several horses, but Golden Sixty has brought him immense joy and success. 

Golden Sixty, an Australian-bred racehorse, was purchased at a ready-to-run sale by Chan with the help of his trusted trainer, Francis Lui Kin-wai. The purchase was made through a Privately Purchased Griffin (PPG) permit allotted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club via a ballot process.  

Over the past few years, Golden Sixty has achieved 24 wins, making him the horse with the most wins in Hong Kong racing history, and has become a beloved figure in the horse racing community.

For Chan, owning Golden Sixty has been a dream come true, and he is quick to credit the horse’s success to a combination of natural talent, hard work, and a trusted partnership between him, trainer and jockey. He has immense faith in trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho, he says. 

“Winning is an incredible feeling – there’s nothing quite like it. But for me, the joy of owning a horse like Golden Sixty goes beyond the victories. It’s about the bond we share, the sense of pride, and the fulfilment that comes from seeing your horse thrive and succeed.”

At seven years old, Golden Sixty is an accomplished champion and, by purchasing Golden Samurai, Chan has taken up the challenge of nurturing and developing another charge into one of the best racers in Hong Kong.

Chan advises potential horse owners not to view it solely as business or an investment, but to appreciate the joy and thrill that comes with owning horses and participating in races. 

“It’s not just about putting in the hours or money; it’s about the love of the sport, the joy and the thrill you get from each race.” 

Because of the large number of aspiring members wanting to own racehorses and the small quantity of permits available, the Club has set up a ballot process to give everyone a fair opportunity, says Greg Carpenter, Head of Racing Product at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. 

Club members who want to import racehorses into Hong Kong can apply for permits via the process. Racehorse ownership in Hong Kong is regulated by the Club. Only members of the Club are eligible for this privilege. 

Besides PPG permits, there are also Privately Purchased (PP) permits available. A PP is a previously raced horse, while a PPG permit is intended for an unraced horse, Carpenter explains. This season, 330 PPG permits and 110 PP permits are granted via the ballot. 

“The Club ensures that all raced horses meet certain quality standards and performance criteria. We strive to guarantee a good quality of racing for them,” says Carpenter. 

The main difference between buying a griffin and a previously raced horse is the level of experience and its potential. Some owners may take a chance on a young horse with potential, while others may prefer to invest in a previously raced one with a proven track record.

“The outcome of horse racing is often unpredictable as it’s hard to tell which animals have the best chances of winning, young griffins or raced horses. However, one thing is certain – there are plenty of opportunities that horse racing provides.” 

A case in point is Golden Sixty and Beauty Generation, both imported into Hong Kong through the PPG and PP permits, respectively. Despite this, each has earned a significant amount; Golden Sixty’s prizemoney stands at HK$136,530,600, while prior its retirement two years ago, Beauty Generation, the 2018 Horse of the Year, had claimed prizemoney of HK$106,233,750.

An alternative route to buying a horse is through International Sale Griffins (ISG). ISG horses are purchased by the Club, mainly at yearling sales in Australasia and Europe, and prepared by the Club for the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) each year. 

Romantic Warrior was the first-ever HKIS graduate to win the Hong Kong Derby when he claimed the race in 2022. By the end of last year, Romantic Warrior had won nine races, including the Group One Hong Kong Cup at the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

According to Carpenter, it takes anywhere from a few months to up to a year for younger griffins to be trained and exercised before they can take part in real races. The Hong Kong Champion Griffin Award was also established to provide them with training and racing opportunities. This honour is part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards and is awarded at the end of the Hong Kong racing season in July.

Choosing the right trainer for a racehorse is essential, as it can be a determining factor in the horse’s performance and odds of success. 

“The Club has 22 highly experienced trainers who are well-known among members and horse owners. When buying a horse to race in Hong Kong, it is likely that owners will seek recommendations from their fellow members.” 

Horse ownership can take the form of sole, partnership or syndicate ownership. A partnership must have between two and four partners, and a syndicate must have between five and 50 members. 

Syndicate horse ownership is becoming increasingly popular in global horse racing communities, Carpenter says. 

“This gives aspiring members the opportunity to experience horse racing and its thrills while also networking with other members. This can open the door for syndicate co-owners to become sole owners in the future.”