The change in Hong Kong's training ranks continues with the announcement that South African trainer David Ferraris will finish his Hong Kong career after Wednesday night’s meeting at Happy Valley.
The 58-year-old informed Jockey Club officials of his plans on Sunday.
"David sent a message this morning that he was going to relinquish his licence this week," said Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) executive director of racing Andrew Harding, reported the scmp.com.
Ferraris was a four time champion South African trainer before moving to Hong Kong for the 2003/4 season and realising the heights of winning the 2005 Hong Kong Derby with the champion Vengeance Of Rain (NZ). Overall Ferraris has trained 460 winners in Hong Kong.
Currently Ferraris has 30 horses in his stable. This season he welcomed his son Luke back to Hong Kong after he had completed his apprenticeship in South Africa to become a leading jockey there.
The 58-year-old moved to Hong Kong ahead of the 2003-04 season and has 460 victories to his name in the city, including the 2005 Hong Kong Derby and a string of Group Ones with superstar galloper Vengeance Of Rain.
Last Friday the HKJC unveiled leading New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards as a new trainer for the 2022/23 season. Richards has won 50 Group 1 races, three New Zealand Trainers Premierships, and is currently ranked second in the New Zealand Trainers Ranking in season 2021/2022.
"Jamie Richards is an exceptional talent. He has rewritten the record books in New Zealand racing and amply demonstrated that he has the ability to train at the standard required in Hong Kong and make a significant contribution to our world-class racing," said Harding on Friday.
"He has the experience and insight to source horses that will succeed in Hong Kong, the skills to achieve high-performances, and an absolute commitment to owners' communication and providing owners with a high-value ownership experience. He has the energy, passion and ability to make a valuable addition to the ranks of trainers in Hong Kong."
"I am grateful for the opportunity that the Licensing Committee has given me. Hong Kong sits at the pinnacle of racing, incredibly professional in any aspect, and now also has the fantastic facilities at Conghua. It is a dream of mine to take the skills I have developed in New Zealand and bring them to bear fruits in that new environment. I cannot wait to get started," said Richards.
With other Hong Kong trainers reaching the upper age limit of 65 further additions to the ranks can be expected. John Moore, John Size and Tony Cruz are the only trainers who have been licenced to train beyond the retirement age.
