With Ka Ying Rising set to chase that same 17-race winning streak in this weekend’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin, the timing feels right to reflect on what made Silent Witness so special, why his dominance captured the world’s attention, and how today’s sprinting stars compare.

From the pre-social-media era to global superstardom, Raphael offers first-hand insight into the horse who took Hong Kong racing to the world – and whether history really can repeat itself.

00:00 Introduction to Shaun Clotworthy and Willydoit

05:14 Shaun's Background and Transition to Horse Training

09:55 The Role of Shaun's Wife Emma and Their Training Partnership

14:59 Willydoit's Journey and Ownership Structure

18:17 The Future of Willydoit and Training Decisions

Roberts has leading chance See It Again in this weekend's Cape Met. 

00:00 Zac Purton's journey in Hong Kong racing
03:18 "Cutthroat" ... the relentless nature of Hong Kong racing
06:35 The rise of local trainers and changing dynamics of Hong Kong racing 

09:30 Family 

10:15 Relationship with Douglas Whyte  
11:57 Zac's prank gone wrong on Douglas 
14:00 Zac's support network, early struggles in Hong Kong and a breakthrough

17:20 Ka Ying Rising update 
19:20 "Sydney is home"  
20:20 A near disaster at Royal Ascot before Little Bridge's memorable triumph 

They discuss the current state of South African horse racing, and the upcoming King's Plate and the Cape Town MET on January 25. Also on the podcast, the impact of World Pool, the aspirations of South African racing on the global stage and who are the emerging talents in the jockey and training ranks? 

We talk about the impact of international events like the recent Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini and its partnership with World Pool. The discussion also delves into the challenges faced by the industry, including competition from other sports, breeding quality, and the importance of promoting the sport to a wider audience. 

Jeetu shares insights into his passion for horse racing, the challenges and joys of owning a racehorse, and the anticipation leading up to the big race. The discussion also touches on the future plans for Antino and the potential for international racing opportunities.
 
 
 Chapters:

00:00 The Excitement of HKIR Week

10:51 Antino's Journey and Owner's Passion

16:22 Future Plans and International Aspirations

Andrew Le Jeune, David Morgan and Andrew Hawkins analyse the Sprint, Mile, Cup and Vase ahead of HKIR on December 8. 

Brett shares his experiences as a jockey in Hong Kong, discussing notable horses like Sacred Kingdom, Bullish Luck, and Lucky Nine. He reflects on the influence of international jockeys, the pressure of racing in Hong Kong, and the evolution of riding styles. Additionally, he offers insights into his son Thomas's journey into racing, emphasising the importance of discipline and resilience in the sport.

Takeaways

- Brett Prebble is a celebrated jockey with over 800 wins in Hong Kong.
- Transitioning to media offers a new perspective on racing analysis.
- The emotional impact of retirement can be profound for athletes.
- Connections with trainers and horses are vital in a jockey's career.
- Rivalry with Douglas Whyte: intense and personal.
- John Size is recognised as an exceptional trainer in Hong Kong.
- Champion horses exhibit unique qualities that set them apart.
- The importance of maintaining energy levels in racehorses.
- Good jockeys make fewer mistakes, leading to better performance.
- The racing community is tightly knit, often leading to personal rivalries. 
- Sacred Kingdom was an exceptional sprinter with a unique turn of foot.
- Brett Prebble had the privilege of riding some of the best horses in Hong Kong.
- Lucky Nine was a remarkable horse that faced many challenges but achieved great success.
- The camaraderie among jockeys can lead to mutual respect and support despite fierce competition.
- Different jockeys bring unique styles and techniques to the sport, influenced by their backgrounds.
- The pressure of racing in Hong Kong is intense, with high scrutiny from the public and officials.
- Brett Prebble's relationship with Olivier Deleuze highlights the importance of mentorship in racing.
- Adapting riding styles is crucial for success in different racing environments.
- The culture of racing in Hong Kong creates a celebrity status for successful jockeys.
- Brett Prebble is proud of his son Thomas's dedication and discipline in pursuing a career in racing.

Allendorf’s three decades-plus career in Asian racing ended when the Macau Jockey Club ran its last races on March 30 this year but Allendorf remains here on a promise to owners and through his own love of horses. 

“The owners all went into a panic because they love their horses,” Allendorf told the Idol Horse Podcast. “So I said to them, I'll guarantee I will stay in the Macau Jockey Club (MJC) until your horse leaves Macau.”

We also ask Geoff about his career as a talented jockey and trainer  – his journey from a childhood in far North Queensland to top trainer Macau is one of the more interesting in world racing. Geoff is a great character and storyteller. He was riding trackwork at 12, he was an apprentice in a golden era of Sydney racing, he rode in the colourful Hong Kong scene  in the late 80s and won three jockeys’ premierships in Macau during the 1990s. We also ask Geoff about the day he nearly beat the mighty Kingston Town at Rosehill. All that and more on the Idol Horse Podcast. 

01:02 The Promise: Geoff Allendorf's Commitment to his Owners and Their Horses 

04:29 Lessons from Macau Racing's Decline

06:52 Memories of a Thriving Racing Era 

07:50 The Greats of Hong Kong Racing and What Made Tony Cruz So Good?

09:18 "The X Factor" Jockeys and Trainers 

12:40 Nearly Beating a Legend: Kingston Town

14:34 Life After Training: What's Next for Geoff?

Mark had worked in Sydney racing for the previous 40 years, in stables, as a mature-aged apprentice, then jockey, assistant and trainer, so we thought he'd be the perfect person to provide some perspective on racing in New South Wales, where prizemoney is booming, but independent and educated industry views are sometimes hard to find. 

Mark also talks about the whip: do jockeys need to carry a whip in a race as an instrument of safety? He tells us why racing should always place the horse as hero when it comes to marketing, we touch on Australian racing's staffing issues, marketing racing careers and Mark's philosophy in guiding apprentice jockeys, something he was famous for at Randwick. 

Then there are Mark's influences: the eccentric genius of Gai Waterhouse and her superstar Pierro, Bart Cummings and Mark's father John, an old-school newspaper man who introduced his son to racing and the characters of Sydney horse racing media at a young age. 

00:00 Introduction to Mark Newnham's journey

03:02 The unique challenges of training in Hong Kong

06:05 Prizemoney is great, but what would Mark change about racing in New South Wales? 

09:04 Staffing issues in the racing industry

11:53 Mark's philosophy on guiding apprentices

14:46 Mark Newnham's career as a jockey

18:12 Influences: The 'eccentric genius' of Gai Waterhouse, Bart Cummings and Mark's father John

21:00 What makes a champion like Pierro different? 

23:56 The Future of horse racing and promoting the horse as hero 

26:53 Whip use: is the whip necessary for jockey and horse safety? 

29:56 Goals for the upcoming Hong Kong season

Rule shares his experience in horse racing journalism and the changes he has witnessed in the industry. He also shares his views on the challenges the sport faces in the modern age and what needs to be done to combat them. 

Afterwards, Idol Horse Editor Michael Cox chats with journalist Cameron Williams, who conducted the interviews for the film with Winx's trainer Chris Waller and regular jockey Hugh Bowman. 

02:23 David's family connection to Hong Kong racing.
06:04 Adapting training methods to Hong Kong.
09:20 Seeking advice from rival trainers. 
14:12 Bloodstock strategy. 
17:16 First season goals.