Cheung Cho Kwan
“We’ve got the best jockeys from all around the world. The best of the best comes here,” Australian jockey Zac Purton admiringly said.
Purton won the Jockey’s Premierships in both Brisbane and Sydney before coming Hong Kong in 2007. Aged 31, he has surpassed Douglas Whyte’s record of winning 13 Hong Kong jockey titles.
He believes Hong Kong jockeys’ riding skills are of world-class standards because of the best of the best jockeys compete here. In fact, most well-known jockeys further develop their careers here.
“My favorite courses are Randwick in Sydney, Flemington in Melbourne and Sha Tin in Hong Kong,” Purton lists out his favorite tracks after racing extensively in Australia and Hong Kong. “They’re all beautiful with big tracks which give all horses a fair chance,” he further explains.
Having lived in the city for six years, Purton realizes the difficulties facing new riders, he says, “It’s very hard for local riders because they’re starting off young and inexperienced. They’re riding against some of the best riders. But if they have the ability, the dedication, and work hard, the rewards are fantastic.”
“It’s always hard to get the opportunity when you start, particularly in a new place.”
Purton also provides advice to prospective female jockeys, he says, “There currently aren’t any female jockeys in Hong Kong. There are many in Australia and some do well, yet the males seem to do much better, perhaps because in races you need to be strong and let go of fear.”
Having endured similar challenges, he advises those who want to become a horse jockey, “It’s important that you are athletic and light. If so, then give it a go. Being an elite jockey gives you the chance to travel around the world — last year I rode in Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore.”
Over his career spanning 315 competitions, Purton has amassed a wealth of more than HK$55 million. “The amount we earned is results-based,” says Purton, “the more winners and ranking we have, the more money we earn.
“In HK we have a guaranteed salary but that doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world. In a quiet month we might earn around HK$150,000, but in a good month we can earn HK$3,000,000. It all depends on whether there are high level International races.”
Constant pressure from high stakes betting drives Purton, he says, “There’s lots of pressure involved with the racing here but that’s something I enjoy and thrive on – it makes me more of excited than nervous.”
His outstanding success cannot go without extreme dedication. The track opens at 4:45 a.m. and closes at 9:00 a.m. for morning session. He usually arrives around 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and rides between 6 and 14 horses every morning six days per week.
Purton has not forgotten about his early struggle entering the Hong Kong circuit, he says, “It’s always hard to get the opportunity when you start, and particularly in a new place,” he says, reminiscing over his past. “Yet I always believed in myself and thought I was good enough to do well. So I worked hard and kept trying until I was given the opportunity.”
Rising up the ranks as a world-class jockey came with certain costs. He has been riding and travelling a lot, and always has to watch for his weight. Eating and drinking with friends were minimized, he says, “I want to be a successful jockey, and so I have to make the sacrifice.”
Purton’s life has been centered on racing – the sport even led him to his wife Nicole, the daughter of the celebrated New Zealand jockey Jim Cassidy. Asked if they plan to have a baby in the Chinese Horse Year, Purton replies, “Possibly this year.”
