Jamie Richards, a celebrated four-time champion trainer in New Zealand, embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career by moving to Hong Kong two years ago. This transition marked a significant shift from his dominant position in his homeland to navigating the highly competitive Hong Kong racing scene. Despite the challenges, Richards remains optimistic and determined to succeed in this demanding environment.
Richards achieved remarkable success with the powerful Te Akau Racing team, amassing 53 Group 1 victories, many of which were in Australia. His notable trainees included Melody Belle, a dual New Zealand Horse of the Year with a record 14 Group 1 wins, as well as Probabeel, Te Akau Shark, Xtravagant, Gingernuts, and Avantage. The decision to move to Hong Kong with his partner, former champion jockey Danielle Johnson, was driven by the allure of significant prize-money, a favorable tax rate, and the prospect of a new professional challenge.
“It was an incredible opportunity to come and train in Asia,” Richards explained. “The prize-money is very high, the tax rate pretty low. It’s a very rewarding place on a financial basis but it’s also a very challenging place professionally. This is the most difficult place in the world to win a race and I think it is underestimated how competitive this place is.”
A Shift in the Racing Landscape
Having been a dominant force in New Zealand, Richards admits that his current standing in Hong Kong has prompted some “soul-searching.” His first season in Hong Kong (2022-23) saw him train 35 winners, followed by 17 winners in the current campaign. “I’ve gone from top of the pile in New Zealand to the middle of the pack battling away a bit,” he reflected. However, he remains steadfast in his belief that success is attainable through hard work: “But it will turn, we just have to keep working hard.”
The opportunity to establish a secure future for himself and Danielle was a significant motivator for the move. “An opportunity for myself and Danielle to set ourselves up for the rest of our lives was pretty enticing. We’d achieved pretty much everything we could achieve in New Zealand,” Richards stated. He maintains a positive outlook, stating, “I am very happy with the decision I’ve made. Even when you are having a bad day. We will have a good horse turn up at some stage.”
Admired Figures and Cherished Venues
When asked about the racing figure he most admires, Richards pointed to John Magnier. He believes Magnier has been the most influential breeder and owner in his lifetime, citing his enduring success from his partnership with Robert Sangster to his current standing with Coolmore and Ballydoyle. Richards highlighted the global reach of Magnier’s operations, which include training with Aidan O’Brien and studs in Ireland, Australia, and America, noting that they lead the way on a global front unlike any other. He also acknowledged the integral role of Dr. Vincent O’Brien in this success, concluding that John Magnier’s contribution to thoroughbred racing worldwide is incomparable.
Richards’ favorite race meeting is the Karaka Millions held at Ellerslie in Auckland. He describes it as a short, sharp twilight meeting with six races, offering a great atmosphere and having been a successful hunting ground for him. He expressed his love for New Zealand bloodstock and the New Zealand industry. Looking ahead, he expressed his hope that his favorite venue will be Sha Tin in Hong Kong over the next 20-30 years.
Favorite Racehorse and Fondest Memories
The horse Richards most admires is Winx, due to her incredible achievement of winning four Cox Plates. He described her as a beautiful mare, expertly trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Hugh Bowman. If he were allowed to choose another, he would select Golden Sixty, whose racing career he found incredible to watch, especially now that he trains in Hong Kong. He also praised Francis Lui for preparing Golden Sixty so well and Vincent Ho for his masterful riding.
His fondest racing memory is winning both the Chipping Norton Stakes with Te Akau Shark and the Surround Stakes with Probabeel on the same Group 1 day at Randwick. He vividly recalled flying home that night with the trophies, accompanied by jockey Opie Bosson and Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
A Vision for Racing’s Future
Richards believes there are many positive developments in racing currently. He is a proud New Zealander and noted the recent significant prize-money injections from the New Zealand Government and Entain, as well as efforts to attract younger generations to the sport. However, he stressed the need for continued upgrading of infrastructure and facilities.
He praised Hong Kong’s Happy Valley and Sha Tin for having two of the world’s best racing surfaces, capable of handling any amount of rain. In contrast, he pointed out that Australia and New Zealand, particularly New Zealand, have many tracks requiring maintenance and upgrades. He also noted that even top Australian tracks like Rosehill and Randwick can become very testing in autumn rains.
