Maybe he’s something of a late bloomer, maybe it was the time spent riding in Japan during the off-season, or maybe he’s simply found the way to tap into his inner self, but whatever it is, many agree that we’re seeing a new, improved 32-year old Vincent CY Ho.
Recognised as a good jockey, and always described as a “good kid” from his days as an apprentice indentured to the Caspar Fownes stable, some of us were discussing last week the regular rider of the Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty, and whether both jockey and galloper have received their just dues.
The general consensus was that, perhaps, these Covid years have taken away the shine off the many accomplishments of this team. Maybe. But what if Zac Purton or Joao Moreira was riding Golden Sixty? Hmmmmm...
Moving forward, and looking at the need for the city to promote its sporting heroes, conspicuous by its absence has been any mention of the Hong Kong-born heroes in horse racing.
Having started out as a journalist before entering the world of international advertising and global music marketing, there has always been the feeling that a key reason for this is horse racing being locked away in its little box, and, except for those Happy Wednesday nights now gone forever, not accepted, nor effectively introduced to a mainstream and younger audience.
That was then, and with the city these days looking at all kinds of ways to find its groove again by, quite rightfully, promoting young Hong Kong-born sporting heroes is terrific.
These are athletes who have succeeded at an international level like swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencers Edgar Cheung and Vivian Kong, cyclist Lee Wai-tse,and others who’ve been celebrated for what they’ve achieved for the city in badminton, table tennis and karate.
What’s puzzling- but not surprising- is to see Hong Kong’s favourite pastime shut out of these kumbaya moments.
Sure, it might have to do with horse racing and its image of being associated with gambling and an older generation, but this is 2022.
The world has changed forever, and it’s more than high time to celebrate the successes of everything and everyone bringing something extra and new to Hong Kong.
This includes a rider with all the athleticism and skills of Vincent Ho, the popularity of horse racing, and its other thirtysomething Hong Kong-born heroes like jockeys Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung.
It might not be something easy to do, but this is the challenge- to remove the blinkers, innovate and not procrastinate and bring about new thinking, and real excitement and motivation with everything marketable that Hong Kong has at its fingertips to a city trying to find its feet again.
We have the carrots, so let’s use them.
