VINCENT HO AND BEING ON ANOTHER HOT STREAK!
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Vincent CY Ho isÂ
so much moreÂ
than just aboutÂ
horse racingÂ
He’s genuine and kindÂ
He cares aboutÂ
those around himÂ
And in the darknessÂ
he always manages to shine
And flashes hisÂ
trademark winning smile
When Vincent Ho wins
We aIl win
Because he lifts us upÂ
with inspirationÂ
He’s been through the wars
He’s fought off negativityÂ
By picking himself upÂ
And embracing positivity
Vincent Ho Chak-Yiu might not have won the Hong Kong Derby at Shatin on Sunday, and if not involved nor interested in horse racing, the back story of this Hong Kong born rider to be doing what he was born to do, which is race riding, is the best therapy needed after a horrific fall in 2024, where serious head injuries sidelined him for months, and kept him from doing what keeps him going.
Yet, there he was at Shatin on Sunday winning aboard Hot Delight for friend and loyal support system in trainer Francis Lui, the person who offered Vincent the ride on the legendary champion Hong Kong galloper Golden Sixty.
As for the three year old Hot Delight, this was the youngster’s third straight win despite a very quick rise through the grades, and the team just might have a future champion on their hands.
I interviewed Vincent Ho many years ago when first apprenticed to Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes. I’ve interviewed a number of jockeys in my time, some whom I gravitated towards immediately, and others who left me cold for one reason or another. Bad vibes, man.
Like my all-time favourite race horse in the wonderfully enigmatic and charismatic Pakistan Star, now known as Stan and living out the rest of his life at Living Legends in Victoria and looked after by its fabulous staff, I just know when something or someone is not working for me and the less time spent with them, the better.
Upon first meeting him, I immediately LIKED Vincent Ho. I had just created the Happy Wednesday brand for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and this future star apprentice radiated happiness. He was beaming at being able to ride, let alone ride winners, and thinking about it now, Vincent really should have been one of the happy faces of Happy Wednesday.
For Vincent Ho, now 35, his journey had begun and his partnership with Golden Sixty, who’s enjoying his retirement at Northern Farms in Japan, swept aside all competition and always with Vincent on his back.
Their’s is a friendship that continues today with this magnificent horse playing a significant role in the recuperation of his rider friend after his fall, and who travels regularly to Japan to see and be with Golden Sixty.
What they say to each other remains something shared only by them and which it should be.
These are also the stories that should be told as they have an emotional connection with people who don’t follow horse racing and make them realise that the pastime is not all about the punt and the usual fluffy corporate hyperbole.