Mark Richards Joins Goffs as British Agent

Mark Richards, who has fulfilled a variety of roles with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the past 20 years, has been appointed to the newly created role of British Agent for Goffs, the sales company announced on Monday.

Richards, most recently HKJC Executive Manager of the International Sale, begins on May 1. Originally a National Hunt jockey, Richards has been in the racing industry for 45 years and has contributed to a number of media outlets including the Racing Post, Daily Telegraph, Racing Channel, Sky and TVN. His primary duties for Goffs include attracting new and existing British buyers to sales at Kildare Paddocks with an emphasis on promoting the flagship Goffs Orby, November and Land Rover Sales.

Commenting on the appointment, Goffs Group Chief Executive, Henry Beeby said, “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Goffs team.  A familiar face at Kildare Paddocks during his time buying for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, he brings a wealth of experience and an extensive list of contacts to the role, while his passion for racing, personable approach and reputation of working to the highest standards ties in perfectly with the Goffs ethos.

“UK buyers represent the largest overseas market for so many of our top tier sales and we look forward to promoting Goffs to new and existing contacts through Mark who further strengthens Goffs' excellent client liaison team and roster of international agents.”

“My experience working with owners, trainers, agents and racing managers across many areas of the racing industry has given me a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of clients attending sales, highlighting the importance for auction houses to offer a professional, transparent and personal service,” said Richards.

“As a regular Orby buyer for many years with the HKJC, I am very aware of the strengths of the sale and have first-hand experience of the famous Kildare welcome and attention to detail. It is an honour to join the Goffs team and I look forward to bringing the company's personal approach and impeccable standards to a wider field of clients in the UK as they attend the major Goffs Flat and National Hunt sales in Ireland.”

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HKJC to Offer World Pool Betting For DWC Meeting

World Pool betting will be available for the Dubai World Cup meeting on Mar. 27, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Tuesday. The 2019 Royal Ascot meeting was the first time World Pool betting was available from the HKJC and resulted in a 60% increase in turnover. During the Mar. 6 Super Saturday card in Dubai, local turnover increased 28.5% and commingled turnover rose 38.7% with World Pool wagering available.

Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer, said, “The commingling development in Hong Kong has been an astonishing success.

“In 2019, we created a new dimension to commingling with the first global pool at Royal Ascot which enabled people around the world to make use of huge liquidity and led to a 60% increase in turnover.

“We are applying the same concept to Dubai. As a truly global racing event, Dubai's World Cup meeting attract world class horses, jockeys and trainers. Commingling provides our sport with a golden opportunity to harvest the full potential of global racing.”

Mr. Richard Cheung, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Customer and International Business Development, added, “We would like to thank PGI as well as our network of global commingling partners to make this happen. Sustaining the momentum of international cooperation as the commingling industry have been is key especially during the challenging time of COVID.”

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Harry Bentley Licenced to Ride in Hong Kong

UK jockey Harry Bentley has been granted a Hong Kong Jockey Club licence from Apr. 16 to the end of the 2020/2021 season, the HKJC announced on Monday. The 28-year-old, who has already booted home 1,002 winners since he was apprenticed at the age of 16 to trainer Gary Moore, has accrued 41 group and listed race wins. Bentley was aboard Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) when he won the G1 Darley July Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret both in 2016. His minimum riding weight will be 118 pounds and prior to starting in Hong Kong, Bentley must complete a three-week hotel quarantine.

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‘Today Was His Day’: Hong Kong’s Loveable Loser Travel Datuk Ends 48-Start Slump By A Nose

Almost five years after debuting at Happy Valley, Irish import Travel Datuk shed unwanted status as Hong Kong's most celebrated maiden by successfully snapping a 48-start losing streak to the bemusement and delight of trainer Richard Gibson and jockey Matthew Poon.

Feted as a cult horse – and Facebook hero – after 17 minor placings (11 seconds and six thirds) from his previous 48 outings in Hong Kong, Travel Datuk narrowly claimed the Class 4 Chatham Handicap after a promising career opening in Ireland, where he raced as Rockaway Valley for John Harrington. Sold to Hong Kong after placing at G3 level and running fifth in the G1 Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh in 2015, Travel Datuk took his earnings to HK$4.27 million long after being decried as a non-winner.

Travel Datuk actually won a Maiden as a 2-year-old in Ireland in 2015, but had proved eternally frustrating in his new surroundings – albeit with a growing profile.

“Actually, he became a very popular horse this season. Many fans contacted us on Facebook, he's a brave, very consistent horse, always tries his best – and for some reason, today was his day,” Gibson said of the 8-year-old.

“I do not know why he chose today, but congratulations to Matthew (Poon). He made the difference.

“He always tries his best, but not used to winning. He's been very consistent and sometimes that's how it goes in racing – it's a great credit to the horse, he kept himself in good shape and today was the day.”

Gibson indicated the 8-year-old's competitive limitations did not detract from the horse's generous nature and popularity.

“I think I will remember him for his defeats and these are not things for a trainer that you are proud of – the defeats. You are more celebrating of the wins.

“So, we'll take today. You never know. Now he's won once, who knows next time?

“I didn't think he was going to make it (win), actually. It's not a record a trainer is very proud of but he's been very consistent this year and a lot of fun.

“It's funny – these horses, once they get their nose in front, they tend to do it another time.”

The post ‘Today Was His Day’: Hong Kong’s Loveable Loser Travel Datuk Ends 48-Start Slump By A Nose appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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