The 2025/26 racing season has come to an end, and a number of trainers currently based in Hong Kong were once jockeys themselves. Douglas Whyte was Hong Kong’s champion jockey for 13 consecutive seasons before retiring from riding and beginning his training career in 2019. Tony Cruz was a six-time Hong Kong champion jockey and later won the trainers’ championship twice. Y. S. Tsui was also a graduate of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School. He rode in Hong Kong from 1980 to 1986 before moving into a behind-the-scenes role and receiving his trainer’s licence in 2005.
Although their focus shifted from riding in races to managing a stable after becoming trainers, their extensive riding experience continued to prove highly valuable. Some trainers still ride their horses in trackwork, allowing them to assess each horse’s action, breathing, balance and condition directly before planning its racing programme. Whyte, in particular, has always been known for his hands-on approach. He regularly attends morning trackwork and continues to demonstrate the instincts and working style of a former jockey.
Racing roles in Hong Kong are now clearly defined: jockeys ride in races, while trainers concentrate on managing their stables. It is therefore extremely rare for trainers to compete in a race themselves. However, Hong Kong racing history includes two unusual trainers’ charity races in which several former jockeys who had moved into the training ranks were given the opportunity to put on racing silks again.
The first race was staged on 9 September 2007, the opening day of the new racing season. Seven trainers took part: Derek Cruz, John Moore, Y. S. Tsui, Dennis Yip, Francis Lui, Ricky Yiu and C. W. Chang. Organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the 800-metre straight-course charity race was held at Sha Tin Racecourse in front of approximately 50,000 spectators.
To add to the atmosphere, the Club invited former champion trainer Brian Kan to serve as the honorary starter. Although the event was primarily staged for charity and entertainment, all seven trainers were fully committed as soon as the gates opened. The closing stages were particularly competitive and no less exciting than those of an official race.
In the end, Derek Cruz partnered GANBARIA and held off John Moore aboard SUNNY GOLF by a narrow margin. Y. S. Tsui finished third aboard GENERAL KINGY. Cruz was visibly out of breath after the race and admitted that he had given everything. He joked that he had originally expected to win comfortably, but once he was back in the saddle, he discovered that riding a horse out vigorously was far more demanding than he had imagined.
Following the enthusiastic response to the inaugural event, the Club staged another trainers’ charity race on the opening day of the 2008/09 season. However, the field for the second edition was reduced to three participants: Y. S. Tsui, Derek Cruz and Paul O’Sullivan.
The closing stages once again produced a close battle. Tsui rode BODACIOUS and held off Cruz aboard BOBO WIN to cross the line first, while O’Sullivan finished third aboard SAMBUOYANT. After the race, the three trainers posed for photographs with their arms around one another’s shoulders, showing their mutual respect and friendship.
Tsui was also in a playful mood during his post-race interview. He joked that he had shown respect to his elders in the previous year by allowing someone else to win, while his rivals had returned the favour this time by giving the opportunity to a “youngster” like him.
He also explained that BODACIOUS had shifted in during the closing stages. As a result, he switched the whip to his left hand and lightly tapped the horse on the neck to prevent it from moving too close to Cruz’s mount and creating a dangerous situation.
The trainers’ charity race was not continued after its two editions, and no official reason was announced. The age, fitness and safety of the participants may have been among the factors considered before the Club decided not to arrange another similar event. Nevertheless, the two brief 800-metre straight-course contests remain unforgettable season-opening memories for many long-time racing fans.
Tony Cruz did not participate in either of the Hong Kong charity races, but he had already travelled to Australia in 2001 to compete in a legends race at Flemington Racecourse. Cruz was 44 at the time and faced a field that included 65-year-old British riding legend Lester Piggott, as well as Gary Moore, Brent Thomson and Geoff Lewis.
Despite the quality of his opponents, Cruz produced a powerful late challenge in the 800-metre straight-course race and defeated Piggott to claim victory. He returned to compete in the same event the following year and finished third.
The transition from jockey to trainer may have changed their professional roles, but it did not diminish their passion for riding and competition. Looking back on this chapter of Hong Kong racing history during the 2025/26 season, the two trainers’ charity races did more than showcase the former riding skills of these stable masters. They also showed racing fans that, even after moving behind the scenes, the trainers retained the determination, competitiveness and fighting spirit that had defined them as jockeys.