“Riders overseas connect with horses since they were babies or very young. And they started riding races way younger than the apprentices here. Some of them already won Group 1 (the highest level of horse racing games) in their teens,” Ho explains, citing time and age as two of the biggest challenges faced by Hong Kong jockeys.

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A graduate of Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, Ho sat on a horse for the first time at the age of 17 and began racing at 18 years old. He has had an impressive resume since the beginning of his career, winning the Champion Apprentice title with 39 wins in the 2010-11 season.

In addition to riding in Hong Kong, the 32-year-old has raced and won around the world and earned a spot at the 2022 World All-Star Jockeys at Japan’s Sapporo this past summer.

Chadwick, also a graduate of the same Apprentice Jockeys’ School, started a bit earlier – at 14 years old.

“When I was young, I wasn’t sure what career I’d step into. I always loved sports and animals. The trainee programme came along – [I thought] it was a summer course – and that was that,” says Chadwick, recalling how he got his start.

To stay on top of their game, the two have a regular training schedule. Every morning at 5am, while most people in the city are still sleeping, Ho has already begun his three-hour track work.

“Later, I’d go to the stable to see horses and talk to trainers,” says Ho, who usually brings carrots with him – the only type of snacks allowed at the stable. Building trust and bonding with their horses is an essential part of their day, since the relationship between the jockey and the horse is a partnership.

“Every horse has their own unique character. You learn the differences riding different horses. You try to build a relationship with them to encourage the best out of them to win,” says Chadwick.

After a two-hour break in the afternoon, Ho would “do entries” – which means to “find our rides for the coming week”, Chadwick explains.

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Chadwick’s day goes similarly, with morning track work and daily workout. The day before the races, the jockeys study their forms and prepare for the games ahead.

To become a world-class jockey, Ho cites “talent with a hard-working mindset” and “resilience” as the most important qualities. Chadwick says “physical and mental stability, a competitive mindset, adaptability to different circumstances, focus and respect” are the main ingredients for success.

These requirements are very similar to what many other types of elite athletes might require, even though they haven’t always been seen as sportsmen.

“I think the public in Hong Kong used to only see [horse racing] as a gambling game. Lately, the club and we have been doing our best to promote it as a sport in which jockeys and horses are real top athletes,” says Ho.

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“I think the public is becoming more aware of what jockeys and the horses have to do to prepare physically and mentally for each race and that the level is expected to be very high,” says Chadwick.

Chadwick has overcome a series of injuries between 2014 and 2017 and returned even stronger, winning 55 races in the 2021-22 season and snatching the Tony Cruz Award (for leading local jockey) from Ho – who previously received the award for three consecutive years – this year.

With the educational effort from HKJC and the help of social media, Chadwick says more people could see how much effort goes into the sport.

They hope that more quality support will be given to the next generations of riders and will help promote local riders both locally and internationally.

On December 7, the two riders will race against 10 other top-rated jockeys, including the reigning IJC champion Zac Purton (who is also based in Hong Kong). The 12 jockeys will compete in four races for a total of almost HK$7 million (US$900,000) in prize money, with a bonus purse of HK$800,000 (US$103,000) for the top three riders of the night.