badges edit・Racing
In The Frame: Overseas Summer Racing
Club broadcaster Nicholas Child shares his picks as live simulcasts extend summer racing excitement to Hong Kong
01 August 2025
Local tracks may still be on their summer holidays, but you’ll find you won’t be short of drama, with a stellar slate of overseas races to watch via simulcast as fresh excitement builds for the imminent 2025/26 season.
Across Europe, the gates are flying open, with elite races ongoing, and Club broadcaster Nicholas Child says the fun is only just beginning.
From the German Oaks to Deauville’s sprint showdowns, plus three straight blockbuster days at York’s Ebor Festival, this month’s simulcasts bring the best of summer racing direct to Members – with plenty to keep punters, pedigree-watchers and big-race fans fully engaged.
“The three days at York’s Ebor Festival always provide us with great racing,” said Child, the regular voice behind the Club’s overseas coverage. “A wonderful meeting that is super competitive, with some excellent group races and really tough handicaps to try and work out.”
Across Europe, the gates are flying open, with elite races ongoing, and Club broadcaster Nicholas Child says the fun is only just beginning.
From the German Oaks to Deauville’s sprint showdowns, plus three straight blockbuster days at York’s Ebor Festival, this month’s simulcasts bring the best of summer racing direct to Members – with plenty to keep punters, pedigree-watchers and big-race fans fully engaged.
“The three days at York’s Ebor Festival always provide us with great racing,” said Child, the regular voice behind the Club’s overseas coverage. “A wonderful meeting that is super competitive, with some excellent group races and really tough handicaps to try and work out.”
Caption: Trainer-to-watch Francis-Henri Graffard in Sha Tin in April 2025
The British highlight kicks off on 20 August with International Stakes Day, followed by Yorkshire Oaks Day and Nunthorpe Stakes Day over the following two days – a trio of high-calibre tests for horses with serious global ambitions. All three World Pool meetings include at least one race on the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Top 100 races in the past few years. Coinciding with Nunthorpe Stakes Day on 22 August, Hopeful Stakes Day has been approved to run as a World Pool event for the first time.
Over in France, Child flagged Francis-Henri Graffard as one trainer to watch, especially on Prix Rothschild Day on 3 August, and Prix Maurice de Gheest Day a week later.
“And it is always worth focusing on whatever World Pool Ambassador Ryan Moore is riding during the month of August,” added Child.
The British highlight kicks off on 20 August with International Stakes Day, followed by Yorkshire Oaks Day and Nunthorpe Stakes Day over the following two days – a trio of high-calibre tests for horses with serious global ambitions. All three World Pool meetings include at least one race on the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Top 100 races in the past few years. Coinciding with Nunthorpe Stakes Day on 22 August, Hopeful Stakes Day has been approved to run as a World Pool event for the first time.
Over in France, Child flagged Francis-Henri Graffard as one trainer to watch, especially on Prix Rothschild Day on 3 August, and Prix Maurice de Gheest Day a week later.
“And it is always worth focusing on whatever World Pool Ambassador Ryan Moore is riding during the month of August,” added Child.
Caption: Angus Chung leading Colourful Emperor (顏色大皇) to victory in Happy Valley in May 2024
While no Hong Kong-based runners are featured in this year’s European simulcast slots, there is one local connection worth paying attention to.
“Young Angus Chung is going to the UK for the summer, so watch this space,” said Child – a hint that international experience may prove transformative when the 28-year-old jockey returns to racing at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
But Chung isn’t the homegrown hotshot to look out for coming September.
“I have been really impressed with Britney Wong during the 2024/25 season in Hong Kong,” said Child. “As a young apprentice, she has shown skills in the saddle and is continuing to improve very nicely.”
And when it comes to the standout horses to watch, Child didn’t hesitate.
“Ka Ying Rising (嘉應高昇) will continue to be the pin-up boy of Hong Kong racing next year,” he said, while noting that Sky Jewellery (首飾天空), trained by the legendary John Size, could emerge as a breakthrough talent in the months to come.
While no Hong Kong-based runners are featured in this year’s European simulcast slots, there is one local connection worth paying attention to.
“Young Angus Chung is going to the UK for the summer, so watch this space,” said Child – a hint that international experience may prove transformative when the 28-year-old jockey returns to racing at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
But Chung isn’t the homegrown hotshot to look out for coming September.
“I have been really impressed with Britney Wong during the 2024/25 season in Hong Kong,” said Child. “As a young apprentice, she has shown skills in the saddle and is continuing to improve very nicely.”
And when it comes to the standout horses to watch, Child didn’t hesitate.
“Ka Ying Rising (嘉應高昇) will continue to be the pin-up boy of Hong Kong racing next year,” he said, while noting that Sky Jewellery (首飾天空), trained by the legendary John Size, could emerge as a breakthrough talent in the months to come.
Caption: Ka Ying Rising closing a perfect season by winning the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April 2025
New trainer Brett Crawford – set to follow in the footsteps of former South Africa-based handlers Tony Millard and David Ferraris – has received his Club license in February, and may be another name Members will want to take note of.
“I believe he has what it takes to make his mark on racing here in Hong Kong,” Child said.
New trainer Brett Crawford – set to follow in the footsteps of former South Africa-based handlers Tony Millard and David Ferraris – has received his Club license in February, and may be another name Members will want to take note of.
“I believe he has what it takes to make his mark on racing here in Hong Kong,” Child said.
Caption: Britney Wong celebrating victory atop Natural High (贏得自然 ) in Sha Tin in March 2025
Looking ahead to next season’s dates to mark in your diary, the traditional benchmarks of success remain in place: The Four-Year-Old Classic Series and The Derby remain the trophies Owners covet most, affirms Child.
For now, though, all eyes turn to Europe – and a world-class summer still to play out.
Racing Calendar
Check below for the upcoming highlight races across the globe via simulcast.
Click here to learn more about World Pool.
Looking ahead to next season’s dates to mark in your diary, the traditional benchmarks of success remain in place: The Four-Year-Old Classic Series and The Derby remain the trophies Owners covet most, affirms Child.
For now, though, all eyes turn to Europe – and a world-class summer still to play out.
Racing Calendar
Check below for the upcoming highlight races across the globe via simulcast.
Click here to learn more about World Pool.
