Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
The latest in world horse racing news from the journalists at Idol Horse.
[
{
"start": "00:01.496",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Welcome to News Desk, I'm Michael Cox joined by Idol Horse Chief Journalist David Morgan. On Monday we had the big news that Caspar Fownes had applied for Joao Moreira to be his stable-retained rider, or he intended to. By the time he put that application in, the Jockey Club rejected it. So here to break all of that down is David Morgan. David? First of all, let's just get to the nitty gritty and the why. What reasons did the Jockey Club put forward for rejecting Caspar's application to have Joao Moreira become his stable jockey?"
},
{
"start": "00:37.158",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "Well, the reason given in the official statement that the Club put out first was basically that there was no room on the roster. It said there's no availability for retained jockeys during the first half of the current season. They determined that with regard to the way the roster looked. And the previous day they'd issued another statement saying that James McDonald, Holly Doyle, Maxime Guyon, and Dylan Brown‑McMonagle were going to come in on short-term licences through the November, December and January-onwards period in terms of McMonagle. So they say they've stacked up who they want in and there's no space. That was the official line. We then had Andrew Harding, the Executive Director of Racing, give a statement to local media in Hong Kong. He gave a little bit more: there was a concern about the resilience of the roster, the spread of the riding weights, and the introduction of emerging talent and opportunities for local jockeys to develop, as well as incorporating top overseas talent. He also said it would be unfair to jockeys with commitments to ride in Hong Kong. That's where the Jockey Club's coming from as to why Joao Moreira wasn't getting the short-term licence to ride as stable jockey for Caspar Fownes."
},
{
"start": "02:06.766",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Let's get to our reactions on some of those points in a moment. But firstly to Caspar — you've spoken to Caspar Fownes for a story for Idol Horse today. What did Caspar have to say?"
},
{
"start": "02:17.296",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "What he first said was, 'It is what it is.' I put to him, are you disappointed? He said, let's not say disappointed. He accepts the Club's decision and understands the situation the Club is in, but it's a long season and he's working with Joao to figure out when they can bring him in later. The Jockey Club basically said if you want to come in for the back half of the season after February 17th, then you can put in an application by December 1st and they'll consider it. So it looks like that's what they'll do. Caspar's really keen for Joao Moreira to come in and be his stable jockey because he feels he'll benefit the stable and, if he's in contention for a push for the title, that could make the difference."
},
{
"start": "03:05.408",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "From a fan's perspective, you can't help but notice the reaction to the possibility of him joining the roster — it was one of great excitement. And that only grew when the next day the Jockey Club announced that James McDonald, Holly Doyle and Maxime Guyon would be joining the roster at various times during November, and would all be riding around late November through the Hong Kong International Races period. It generated a lot of excitement and focus — and then a big letdown among fans."
},
{
"start": "04:32.624",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "Same here — a massive missed opportunity. The prospect of Purton, McDonald and Moreira all riding together, with Hugh Bowman there too, would have been fantastic — top jockeys going head‑to‑head regularly at Happy Valley and Sha Tin. It would have lifted Hong Kong racing into the global spotlight at that time of year between Breeders' Cup, Japan Cup and Hong Kong."
},
{
"start": "05:50.723",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "From a commercial perspective, we're trying to celebrate Hong Kong racing week in, week out — and competition is what we want. On face value, the Club’s arguments sound rational. Maybe promises were made to give others their chance. But the idea that Moreira would take light‑weight rides doesn't stack up: he was to be Caspar Fownes' stable jockey and he doesn’t ride light anymore. And if the roster was full, that’s the message — the extra arguments confuse things. As for 'unfair to jockeys committed to Hong Kong' — Hong Kong’s a competitive place. Moreira would have put people on notice and raised the intensity."
},
{
"start": "07:38.989",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Thanks to our stats man Soheil Patel, we looked at arrivals and prep work before the season: David Probert arrived eight days before the season, rode two gallops and five barrier trials; Zac Purton was back 22 days out with 46 gallops and 37 trials; Karis Teetan, 27 days out with 76 gallops and 43 trials. If we're talking commitment and competitiveness, the standards matter — officials should help newcomers understand what's required."
},
{
"start": "09:43.971",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Japan has been beating Hong Kong for jockey recruitment for five to ten years, especially in autumn. This roster with Moreira looked great. Stepping back, it’s still a strong lineup — James McDonald, Maxime Guyon, Holly Doyle — but it could have been better."
},
{
"start": "10:23.558",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "I agree: good lineup, but it could have been great. And on the 'unfair to committed jockeys' point — many arrive without realising how tough Hong Kong is. If no one tells them to be here three weeks before the season to have any chance, who's unfair to whom? If the roster is full, say it's full and move on — but the disappointment remains: with Moreira, it could have been the best."
},
{
"start": "11:47.267",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "It's about the fans. Ask the fans what they want — more competition, more dynamism in the riding ranks, and Joao Moreira back in the mix."
},
{
"start": "12:19.420",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "Sports fans want the best competition, week in, week out. Hong Kong had the opportunity to deliver that in November–December with outstanding jockeys head to head."
},
{
"start": "12:56.344",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Speaking of superstars: Ka Ying Rising is bound for Australia for The Everest on October 18. He was out on the Sha Tin turf this morning, currently in quarantine and set to depart this weekend. Floodlights were on at 3:30 a.m.; he was on the turf at 3:43, cruising through his paces. He’s an unassuming-looking horse when he first comes down the straight — you wouldn’t pick 'world’s best sprinter' at a glance, but Ka Ying Rising is the real deal."
},
{
"start": "13:46.074",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "What he does on the track is phenomenal. It will be fascinating — he has to travel, meet a tough field on their home turf, and show what he can do away from Sha Tin, the only place he’s raced."
},
{
"start": "14:23.171",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "One of the biggest threats might be pre‑race, not on track. If he runs his race, he wins — his sustained speed breaks hearts. But Randwick on Everest day is a different scenario: tie‑up stalls, centre of attention, loud crowd, small parade ring. We’ve seen top horses have pre‑race meltdowns overseas. I’ll be watching temperament closely, especially if he starts odds‑on. I spoke to David Hayes after the gallop — he was happy with how the horse moved and breathed."
},
{
"start": "15:36.911",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Hayes noted that when horses travel overseas — win or lose — they often come back tougher and sharper. The first trip can be below their very best, but they return better horses. If Ka Ying Rising comes back improved, he might win another 13 in a row."
},
{
"start": "16:13.830",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "That aligns with what many trainers say: travel matures them — minds switch on. If he returns even better, that’s scary for Hong Kong’s sprinters because he’s demolishing them already."
},
{
"start": "16:46.382",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Big Hong Kong races coming up: October 1st, National Day — a 1400‑metre Group 3 and a 1000‑metre Group 3. They switched them — the National Day Cup is now 1000 m, the Celebration Cup is 1400 m. Some interesting runners: My Wish, this year’s Derby runner‑up, looked sharp in a dirt trial this morning and heads to the Celebration Cup. Luke Ferraris said he felt great and quickened nicely. Light Years Charm for David Eustace also looks progressive — that race can be a pointer to future success."
},
{
"start": "18:15.036",
"speaker": "David",
"text": "Thank you, it's been great."
},
{
"start": "18:38.114",
"speaker": "Michael",
"text": "Make sure you go to idolhorse.com. Not only can you find David’s interview with Caspar Fownes and his reaction to the news that Joao Moreira has been rejected as his stable‑retained rider, there’s a profile from me on Derek Leung, who’s approaching 500 career winners; and David’s piece on Tom Marquand looking to Japan as he pushes to the next level. Also check out World Racing Weekly, our new column, and a look toward this weekend’s Sankei Sho All Comers in Japan — often a pointer to the Hong Kong International Races. Thanks for joining us on News Desk — I’m Michael Cox."
}
]