Jack Wong, Hong Kong’s newest Apprentice Jockey, met the media today at a press conference to mark the start of his Hong Kong career, which will commence with five rides at Sha Tin on Sunday, 8 March.
Wong, 21, joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School at age 16 and has spent the past two and a half years advancing his training by riding as an apprentice in New Zealand. During that period he was indentured to John Sargent, Mike McCann, and, most recently, Lance O’Sullivan.
The youngster, who registered 36 wins from 443 rides in New Zealand, has joined the Sha Tin stable of Me Tsui, himself a former HKJC apprentice.
“I’m excited and a little nervous, but I’m preparing fully so that I can ride to my best on Sunday,” said Wong, who first thought about becoming a jockey after seeing an HKJC ad in a newspaper.
“I was 15 and I was shorter and smaller than other people,” he recalled. “I saw an advert for the Apprentice School in the newspaper and thought it was a great opportunity, so I set that goal to try and I built up an interest in horseracing. Now I enjoy horseracing, I enjoy what I do. After my first race in New Zealand I just couldn’t stop smiling.
“When I went to John Sargent’s he decided I had better start in the South Island, because things are a bit easier there, and then afterwards I went to Mike McCann’s stable and I rode 16 winners in the 10 months I was there. The Jockey Club decided it would be better for my development if I were to go to the North Island before I returned to Hong Kong, so I went to Lance O’Sullivan. Lance knows how tough it is in Hong Kong and he knows the style of riding here, so he was always spending time teaching me how to ride like a senior.”
Me Tsui, who came through the apprentice ranks in Hong Kong and registered 21 wins in his five years as a jockey, believes that Wong will not be too fazed on Sunday.
“I don't think he will be too nervous when he walks in the jockeys’ room and looks at Moreira and those other riders because he understands that 20 years ago Moreira was the same as him - everyone starts the same,” said the trainer.
William A. Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing, praised Wong for his commitment and the talent he has shown thus far.
“The Jockey Club takes great pride in playing a small part in the development of young men like Jack,” he said. “It has been Jack’s hard work and dedication that has brought him back to Hong Kong and it will be his talent and dedication that will guide his success here. It is a very tough and competitive racing landscape in Hong Kong and Jack has earned his place here. He is assigned to Me Tsui and I have every confidence that Me will do a good job in nurturing and guiding him.”
Wong’s minimum riding weight is 104lb.
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Photo 1:
Apprentice jockey Jack Wong meets the media at Sha Tin racecourse this morning. He will take part in his first Hong Kong races this Sunday, 8 March.
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Photo 2:
From left: Amy Chan, Manager, Racing Development Board & Headmistress, Apprentice Jockeys' School; William A Nader, Club��s Executive Director, Racing; apprentice jockey Jack Wong; and trainer Me Tsui.
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Photo 3:
Jack Wong with his mentor and trainer Me Tsui.
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