HK female jockey Yuen riding high Down Under

Hong Kong-born apprentice female jockey Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu won four races in Australia yesterday.

Yuen, 23, together with another Hong Kong-born female apprentice, Britney Wong Po-nei, have participated in various races at Port Augusta Racecourse in South Australia.

Out of seven races Yuen participated on race day, she won on Run On over 1,498 meters at odds of A$1.9 (HK$9.93), Super Sharp over 1,396m at A$2.6, Al Rancherp over 1,600m at A$3.7 and Famous Knight over 1,100m at A$2.8. She won a total of A$32,900 (HK$171,918) in prize money.

Yuen also won three out of five races on July 2 at the same racecourse. She gained first place twice in the 1,498m and 1,396m races, and finished runner-up in the 1,876m race.

Yuen became a trainee apprentice jockey upon completing the foundation course at the Hong Kong Jockey Riding School. She has ridden in more than 90 trials for the Jockey Club.

In early 2022, Yuen started her race training at the SA Apprentice Academy Program and began participating in various jockey competitions since February last year.

Previously, Yuen had said she would like to gain more experience and learn more about racing in Australia, as "there aren't many opportunities for young riders in Hong Kong."

"Trainers and owners in Hong Kong aren't comfortable putting young and inexperienced riders on because of how valuable and highly priced the horses are," she said.

She has participated in 253 races in South Australia, recording 29 wins.

Speaking of her aspiration, Yuen said her interest in horse riding bloomed when she was 10.

Her parents sent her to Lei Yue Mun Public Riding School and the experience made her realize her interest in horses and becoming a jockey.

She subsequently began training at the Apprentice Jockeys' School in 2016 for nine months, receiving training on horse riding and fitness.

She had also taken courses on sports science and English and she had the opportunity to take care of the horses as well.