Angus Chung is looking forward to gaining further riding experience in Great Britain when he joins Ralph Beckett’s Kimpton Down Stables in Kimpton, Hampshire over Hong Kong racing’s off-season following the 2024/25 term’s conclusion on 16 July.
Angus Chung is closing in on the 100-win mark in Hong Kong (Pic – HKJC)
Chung, 28, is now a senior rider after reaching the graduation mark of 70 Hong Kong wins while indentured to Tony Cruz last year. He’s won 16 races this season and, like fellow graduate Vincent Ho of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, will use this year’s summer break to expand his skillset on the English circuit.
During his apprenticeship, Chung rode 76 winners in Australia before returning to compete in Hong Kong. He landed the Tony Cruz Award (2023/24) last campaign and has 93 career wins in Hong Kong after debuting in the 2022/23 racing season.
“I’m going to ride in England. I’ll only be there for three weeks and it’s to try something new. It’s not a very long break for me because I will be back to ride the barrier trials here in Hong Kong,” Chung said. “Overseas and Hong Kong are different, so I want to see how the pace is, different styles and how the tracks are.”
Ho, the rider of retired champion Golden Sixty, spent several off-seasons in Great Britain attached to Mark & Charlie Johnston’s Middleham-based stables. His presence opened the door for Shergar Cup selection in 2019, where he rode a first winner at Ascot in the Shergar Cup Mile, helping the Rest of the World team secure overall victory.
Angus Chung graduates at Happy Valley (Pic – HKJC)
“I want to enjoy it, meet more people, new horses and see new tracks. I’m excited,” said Chung, who has eight rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday, led by last-start winner Telecom Fighters (125lb) in the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap (1650m) against Helene Feeling (135lb), Nimble Nimbus (135lb), Californiatotality (122lb), Soleil Fighter (122lb), C P Brave (120lb) and Woodfire Bro (115lb).
“Telecom Fighters is in the Class 2. The field is quite strong and he’s an older horse now,” Chung said.
Parents’ Love has risen from Class 5 to Class 3 this season. The improving galloper contests the Class 3 Choi Wan Handicap with Chung for Cruz.
“I didn’t expect Parents’ Love to run as well as he did in Class 3. He’s proving himself and he’s come a long way since being in Class 5 earlier this season. His rating has gone up quick with three wins and he’s very consistent,” Chung said.
Parents’ Love has three wins, three seconds and three thirds this term. Chung also rides The Way We Win, Wah May Wai Wai, Harmony N Home, My Flying Angel, Lovero and Star Satyr.
Wednesday nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 12h40 with the Class 5 Yue Wan Handicap.
