WINNO'S WORD OF THANKS

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, December 16, 2025

In 2025, I returned for my eleventh LONGINES Hong Kong International Race Day experience — and it was every bit as special as the very first. This year, I was once again joined by Tim Clayton, returning for his second assignment covering this iconic international racing event in Hong Kong.

HorseRacingOnly (HRO) Australia was once again honoured to receive media accreditation to cover the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races — an opportunity we deeply value and never take for granted.

A special acknowledgment must go to Andrew Harding for recognising and celebrating the incredible teamwork that underpins this global event. The seamless coordination and precision of the many teams involved is nothing short of remarkable — an operation run with military efficiency yet driven by genuine passion and pride.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for their generosity and support throughout the week. The access to outstanding events across the week only added to what was already a world-class experience.

On behalf of HorseRacingOnly (HRO), I sincerely thank the HKJC for the continued invitations and official accreditation that allow us to deliver comprehensive, independent, and original coverage of Hong Kong’s two premier race days.

By the time this year’s coverage is complete, horseracingonly.com.au will have published:

Over 30 independent stories
More than 400 photographs
40+ social media posts
And 20-plus video interviews with jockeys, trainers, and owners.
It was our biggest and best coverage ever!

All content was sourced and produced by Darren Winningham (WINNO) and Tim Clayton, with full credit also due to HRO’s Editor-In-Chief Graham Potter for ensuring every story and image reached its full potential on the HRO website. His contribution to making it all happen was invaluable.

A special thank you to Larry for making sure WINNO and Tim were always in the right place at the right time for every photo opportunity. Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to Priscilla, Bearbi, Cecilia, Henry, and Nickson for their outstanding support at the HKIR Media Centre at the Renaissance Harbourview Hotel and at the track. Your professionalism, warmth, and tireless willingness to help ensured we always had access to accurate, timely information — and made the entire experience a pleasure.

The HKJC media team truly are the best in the business — approachable, world-class professionals who consistently go above and beyond to help us deliver the very best coverage of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.

On behalf of the entire HRO team, thank you one and all. We hope you enjoyed the cookies and small gifts as a small token of our appreciation.

As the curtain closes on another unforgettable chapter of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, we extend our warmest wishes to everyone involved — thank you for the hospitality, the professionalism, and the memories. We look forward to returning soon.

Until next time — stay safe, enjoy a wonderful festive season, and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.

Winno