Zac Purton has etched his name into Hong Kong racing history by becoming the jockey with the most career wins, surpassing the legendary Douglas Whyte's long-standing record of 1,813 victories. On January 22, Purton reached this milestone at Happy Valley with two wins: Spirit Of Peace in the Class 4 Kowloon Park Handicap and View Of The World in the Class 3 Victoria Park Handicap.

The Australian-born rider, who moved to Hong Kong in 2007, has had an illustrious career, including a record 179 wins in the 2022/23 season and seven Hong Kong Champion Jockey titles. Known for his consistency and skill, Purton has also set benchmarks for earnings and has maintained a remarkable 17% win rate across 17 years in Hong Kong racing.

Acknowledging Whyte’s influence on the sport, Purton highlighted the transformative approach his predecessor brought to jockey management in Hong Kong. Despite his initial doubts about breaking the record, Purton expressed gratitude to his supporters and noted that records are meant to be surpassed.

Douglas Whyte, present to witness the moment, praised Purton's work ethic and consistency, emphasizing that such dedication defines champions. This landmark achievement solidifies Purton's legacy among the all-time greats in global horse racing.

Hong Kong racing continues to showcase world-class talent, with upcoming events promising more thrilling action at Sha Tin on January 26.

 Image Hkjc extracted by SAHorseracing.COM