Hong Kong jockeys Zac Purton and Andrea Atzeni are both closing in on significant milestones as the 2025/26 season enters its final stretch, with Purton just one win away from an unprecedented 2,000 victories in the jurisdiction while Atzeni edges towards a personal-best season tally with 13 meetings remaining.
Purton heads into Sunday’s Sha Tin fixture on 1,999 Hong Kong wins and will have 10 rides on the card as he attempts to become the first jockey in Hong Kong racing history to reach the 2,000-winner mark.
The Australian has dominated the local riding ranks for more than a decade, being crowned Champion Jockey on eight occasions and he continues to set the benchmark, with another stellar campaign this season putting him on course for a ninth championship.
Atzeni, meanwhile, is enjoying the best Hong Kong season of his career since relocating permanently to the jurisdiction, with the Italian rider now within touching distance of surpassing his previous best seasonal wins tally of 58.
Currently sitting on 54 wins, the multiple European Group 1–winning jockey has seven rides on Sunday’s Sha Tin card.
Since arriving on a permanent licence in 2023, Atzeni has quickly established himself among the elite ranks in Hong Kong and continues to build strong momentum through the closing stages of the campaign.
Purton ‘a brilliant jockey’
Commenting on Purton’s impending milestone, Atzeni was full of praise for his weighing room colleague: “It’s an amazing achievement for Zac Purton to get close to 2,000 winners just in Hong Kong.
“He’s been here a long time, he’s a brilliant jockey and a true professional, so he deserves everything he gets.”
On the prospects of breaking his record, Atzeni said: “I’m pleased with my season so far.
“I’ve had a very good second half of the season with a couple of four-timers and a couple of trebles, rode a Group winner and I was the most-winning jockey in March with 14 wins.
“I’m on 54 winners, which is not a bad number, and I’ve still got a few meetings left, so hopefully I can get to 60.
“I’d say the highlight of the season so far is riding a couple of four-timers and having a Group 3 win with Stellar Express for John Size.”
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Atzeni’s prospects this weekend
Atzeni also looked ahead to his rides on Sunday, including two with good prospects in the two Group 3s on Sha Tin’s card.
“I’ve got a nice book of rides on Sunday and I’m very hopeful we can get a Group race on the board before the end of the season,” Atzeni said.
“I ride a horse called Sky Jewellery for John Size in the Group 3 mile [Lion Rock Trophy], who is very promising and has won his last two.
“He’s up in class with a lightish weight, and he could arguably be one of the best four-year-olds in Hong Kong. He’s a horse I’m really looking forward to.
“Crimson Flash runs in the Group 3 over six furlongs [Sha Tin Vase].
“He’s got a bit of a tricky draw, but he’s a horse that has done very well all the way through the season and hopefully he can run big again.”
With 13 meetings left in the season, both jockeys now have major milestones firmly in sight as Hong Kong racing builds towards another dramatic finale.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday 31 May with an 11-race card beginning at 5:45am UK time.
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