Five-timer the highlight as Antoine Hamelin prepares for France return

Antoine Hamelin will depart Hong Kong’s riding ranks at the end of this season and the talented jockey is grateful for his experience and excited ahead of future endeavours as he gears up for a return to where it all began as a fresh-faced teenage apprentice in France.

“I’m glad to have the experience here. I am taking everything I can take from here. I’ve learnt so much and I am glad for that. Thank you to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for giving me the chance to come to Hong Kong,” Hamelin said.

Hamelin, 34, has ridden 110 winners in Hong Kong. The climax of his career in the city, which began at the tail-end of the 2019/20 campaign, is five wins at a single fixture at Sha Tin in January, 2021 – a remarkable feat achieved by victories aboard Golden Link, Family Folks, Ping Hai Bravo, Hongkong Great and Tempest Express.

“That was a crazy day. That’s tattooed in my brain forever. There’s a lot of memories, either in the racing bubble or out of it. I’ve met a lot of great people here and even though it’s only five years it feels like 10 or 15 years in my head being here,” Hamelin said.

The Frenchman’s best return came in 2020/21 with 27 winners for HK$43.97 million in stakes. Ahead of the 2024/25 campaign’s final three race meetings, Hamelin has started in 2,223 Hong Kong races for HK$177.71 million total earnings.

Among his most memorable moments this season are wins with Happy Fat Cat, Nordic Dragon and a Class 2 score on Raging Blizzard. After commencing his career as an apprentice in Chantilly with trainer Jean de Roualle in 2009, Hamelin gained experience across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas before setting up base in Hong Kong.

A winner at Royal Ascot atop Different League, Hamelin also won the 2012 G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) with fairytale hope Saonois, a horse he later rode in Hong Kong.

“I was a little bit lost and impressed by everything in Hong Kong. Everything goes fast and everything is bigger here. I was happy to discover new things and I felt I adapted really well quite quick. I really enjoyed my time in Hong Kong,” Hamelin said.

“I leave Hong Kong but Hong Kong is in my heart. It’s part of my life, so I will always be happy to come back for work or a vacation, but I’ll be back for sure.”

Hamelin takes three rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (9 July) – the season’s 86th of 88 fixtures – booked for Jolly Ruler, Red Majesty and Nordic Dragon.

The midweek programme’s headliner is the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Begonia Handicap (1800m), where 12 gallopers duke it out, including Pierre Ng’s Cambridge (126lb), ridden by soon-to-be Australian Racing Hall of Famer Zac Purton.

“He was a bit unlucky last time heading into the straight and he lost to a lighter weight horse. Zac’s on and he trialled well with him the other day. The horse looks more mature and hopefully he can get another winner for us,” Ng said.

Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, Cambridge has won once previously in Hong Kong over tomorrow night’s course and distance as a 24/1 shot in May.

“He looks like he can keep improving. He comes from the Northern Hemisphere, so he should be slowly progressing into a very nice horse. In future, once he learns to settle more, then he’ll be very effective in staying races,” Ng said.

Frankie Lor has Flamingo Trillion (127lb) entered in the same contest, chasing a reward for reliability with the five-year-old, who has placed three times this season – twice by under a length.

“I trialled him once at Conghua. He wasn’t too bad, but it was over 1200 metres. I hope he can run a good race for the owner, because this season, he hasn’t been too lucky – always placing at Happy Valley. He won’t carry a big weight. I hope he has a chance.

“It’s a little bit different with the rating band being 90 to 60. But his form is good. I hope we can run a good race,” Lor said.

Ricky Yiu has sided with in-form apprentice Ellis Wong, hoping to capitalise on his five-pound allowance which reduces C P Brave’s impost to 128lb in the nine furlongs contest.

“He’s got Ellis Wong on him claiming five pounds. He’s done well, the kid, lately. I think he’ll do well with the claim and the apprentice in form. The horse never misses a day of trackwork at Conghua. He’s pretty consistent. It’s a good race for him,” Yiu said.

The quality Class 2 feature also sees Noisy Boy (134lb), Bravehearts (129lb), Embraces (128lb), Jumbo Legend (127lb), Woodfire Bro (127lb), Beauty Alliance (126lb), Winning Wing (119lb), Star Mac (115lb) and Packing Hurricane (115lb) line up.

Yiu is seeking consecutive wins with Gracious Express when the Irish-bred takes aim at the Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (1200m) from barrier two with James Orman up.

“He’s another consistent horse. Last time he won in good style,” Yiu said.

Wednesday night’s (9 July) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Hawthorn Handicap (1000m).