Apprentice jockey Britney Wong has arrived in New Zealand for a short stint before she returns to her homeland in Hong Kong in time for the new season which begins on September 8.
The 25-year-old has ridden in more than 600 races in Australia, notching 50 wins and 125 placings in her two-year development stint there and has been granted an apprentice jockey’s licence in Hong Kong, one of the most competitive racing jurisdictions in the world.
She will be the first full-time female rider on the Hong Kong roster since Kei Chiong retired from the saddle in 2017.
Wong wasted little time getting accustomed to New Zealand conditions with three trial rides at Te Rapa on Tuesday for trainers Tony Pike, Barbara Kennedy and Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
The talented rider’s time in South Australia concluded in March, but care of a burgeoning relationship between the Hong Kong Jockey Club, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Equine Academy, Wong’s riding talents will be on display throughout August in New Zealand.
“I joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2016 and learned how to ride from scratch, I had never touched a horse before,” Wong said.
“I spent a couple of years building up my skills and thanks to Hong Kong Jockey Club, I got the chance to go overseas in 2022. I spent two years in South Australia with Jon O’Connor and had good success with his great support.
“Thanks to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Equine Academy, I have the opportunity to ride here over the next three weeks which I am really excited about.
“I haven’t been able to race ride since March, but I have been keeping fit riding in trials at Sha Tin and Conghua. It will be great to get my racing feeling back and try to get as many rides as possible and hopefully pick up a few winners before I go home.”
Successful Hong Kong riders Vincent Ho and Derek Leung both enjoyed time in New Zealand before returning home to match it with the world’s best and like Wong are both graduates of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Talent Training Centre.
Wong, who showed good athletic prowess in both swimming and shooting prior to joining the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said her last few years in the saddle have confirmed she is in the right profession.
“I enjoy racing so much,” she said. “After those two years in Australia, I was convinced that being a jockey is what I am destined to be.”
Wong is looking forward to the challenge of competing against the likes of Zac Purton and Hugh Bowman each week.
“It is a very exciting challenge but at the same time quite daunting.” Wong said. “Obviously, riding against those top jockeys is not easy, but I will be able to learn plenty from them.
“It’s easier to learn from them when you’re closer, you can observe and feel more and by getting involved, it’s the best way to improve.”
Wong said there had been a number of people that have been instrumental in her success to date, but said her mentor was former star jockey Felix Coetzee, who is the Chief Riding Instructor at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“Our school coach is Felix Coetzee, who was one of the greatest jockeys in Hong Kong and I’m just glad that he is happy to help the next generation,” Wong said.
“He’s here for me every day whenever I’ve got a question, I can just flick him a message or give him a phone call.”
Hong Kong Jockey Club management conducted a selection process following all trainers being invited to submit an expression of interest to have Wong allocated to their stable. On Tuesday it was announced that Wong will be allocated to Trainer David Hall.
Recently retired champion New Zealand jockey Leith Innes will be a guiding hand over the next few weeks with Wong as part of his new role with the New Zealand Equine Academy, while he will also be managing Wong’s rides.
“I’ve just taken the role over and it’s just great to have someone like Britney turn up on your back doorstep where she’s ridden 50 winners and has got a license in Hong Kong when she returns in September,” said Innes, who was busy introducing the new arrival to all of the key participants at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
“We haven’t got a lot of time to work with Britney between now and the three weeks that she’s here but hopefully we can get her a couple rides and some winners and play a small hand in her development.
“The relationship between Hong Kong and New Zealand is very strong and there are a lot of Hong Kong-owned horses in New Zealand that are trialling up and getting fit before they go up there.
“Britney’s naturally light and claiming two kilos, she’s won 50 races, so she’s well advanced and it’s great for Hong Kong to be trusting the New Zealand Equine Academy and bringing apprentices over, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Amy Chan, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School played a key role to enable Wong to continue her training and prepare for the 2024/25 racing season in Hong Kong with a stint in New Zealand.
“Hopefully Britney will be race-riding within a week, with valuable support from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Equine Academy, whom we look forward to future collaboration with,” Chan said.
“Britney has a strong passion and dedication for horse racing. She is disciplined with a great work ethic. Her strong mindset and self-belief have helped her stay resilient and focused during challenging times. Britney used to be a swimmer and her natural talent and willingness to continuously improve her horsemanship has been crucial to her early success as a jockey.”
