The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Conghua Racecourse is based on a 150-hectare site in Guangdong province, China. The facility has four tracks – one turf, two dirt and an uphill 1,000m gallop – and nine stable blocks capable of housing 660 active in-training horses. It is the first world-class racecourse and thoroughbred training centre in the mainland.
Richard Gibson and jockey Matthew Chadwick combined to record a historic first win at the inaugural Hong Kong Jockey Club race meeting at Conghua Racecourse on Saturday 23rd March.
They were victorious in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1200m) with Nordic Warrior, owned by Edmond Yue Kwok Yin.
Gibson was delighted to be the first on the training winners list at Conghua. “Absolutely this is a very big buzz and big career moment to win the first race here in Conghua and Matthew gave the horse a wonderful ride and we’re delighted. From the moment this race came on our radar we targeted this horse for the race. We expected the pace to be very strong, we know our good horse is a good finisher and Matthew gave him a wonderfully cool, calculated ride.
“I did say when I got the job in Hong Kong I wanted to be the first winner in Conghua. If you look back at the press conference, I said that in quite a loud voice. I’m looking forward to training here, our horses are doing great here and it’s great to be part of history today and to get the Cup from [HKSAR Chief Executive] Mrs Carrie Lam is obviously an extra privilege for us as well,” Gibson said.
Last year, we caught up with Richard and he explained to us why he feeds RED MILLS:
For more information on Conghua Racecourse click HERE
