Record-breaking champion Douglas Whyte retires from saddle to take up training

Douglas Whyte, the record 13-time champion jockey in Hong Kong, will quite the saddle in February to embark on a training career.

The South African, who has ridden more than 1,800 winners in Hong Kong, will sign off at Sha Tin on February 10, after which he intends to spend several months with leading trainers around the world before returning to Hong Kong to establish his stable for the new season in September.

The licensing committee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club has granted a trainer's licence to Whyte, who said: "I was incredibly excited to receive the call that my application had been successful. I have made Hong Kong my home for the past 21 years and have worked diligently to contribute towards making the horseracing industry one of the best in the world.

"I owe a great deal of gratitude to the city, its people, the [Hong Kong] Jockey Club and the many members who have supported my work as a jockey.

"It would be an understatement to say I am looking forward to this challenge. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the licensing committee for giving me this opportunity.”

It is only the second time in recent history that the licensing committee has issued a trainer's licence to a current jockey, the other being to champion jockey Tony Cruz in the 1996-97 season.

Andrew Harding, executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, put Whyte "in the same elite category" as Cruz and said: "Douglas Whyte is an extraordinary talent who has already made an enormous contribution towards Hong Kong racing achieving its world-class status.

"His skills as a horseman are exceptional and will provide him with an inherent natural advantage in transitioning from a highly successful jockey to a highly successful trainer.

"Having been part of the fabric of Hong Kong for two decades, Douglas knows the workforce and facilities and understands the training systems at Sha Tin and now also at Conghua.

"He also has the respect and trust of owners to build a very strong stable and continue to contribute to our world-class racing.”

The Jockey Club has also granted a jockey licence to Martin Harley, who will be eligible to ride in Hong Kong for three months between February 7 and May 7.

Harley notched 87 winners in Britain in 2018, including two Listed successes, and has started the year in decent form with seven winners on the board already.

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