Hayes says Conghua-trained horses thriving ahead of racing debut
Dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer David Hayes has praised the environment and facilities at Conghua Racecourse, describing them as invaluable to developing his stable’s runners, particularly young horses.
Hayes has been among the most successful trainers with horses prepared at Conghua before racing in Hong Kong. Ahead of the 2025/26 Season Finale at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 20 of his 54 winners this season trained at Conghua between runs.
“I think I have been one of the leading Conghua stables over the last three years, and I believe next season will be even better,” Hayes said.
“Most of my young horses have benefited from training in Conghua. They will continue to improve next season and hopefully become my vintage crop.”
Hayes believes the varied training environment and world-class facilities at Conghua play an important role in a young horse’s education and development.
“I think young horses learn a lot more by being trained in different surroundings,” he said.
“They tend to look around and experience new things, and the most important factor is that they can become accustomed to the grass track. They have more opportunities to train on turf than when they are based at Sha Tin.”
“As a result, they can learn more in Conghua, which helps them mature both mentally and physically.”
The most notable example of a horse to benefit from a regular Conghua programme is the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, who spent much of his early career there and is currently galloping at Conghua in preparation for his return next season.
Named Hong Kong Horse of the Year at Friday’s Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards for the second consecutive season, Ka Ying Rising is scheduled to return to Sha Tin in August.
“Ka Ying Rising is having a great time in Conghua at the moment,” Hayes said.
“He will return to Hong Kong four or five days before the Sha Tin barrier trial in late August as part of his preparation for the season-opener and then The Everest (G1, 1200m).
“Conghua has always been an important part of Ka Ying Rising’s preparation and race build-up. Everyone can see that the best sprinter in the world undergoes training there. We are all looking forward to another exciting season from him.”
Another successful graduate of Hayes’ Conghua programme is Ka Ying Resilience. The four-year-old son of Blue Point was sidelined for a period through injury but returned to top form with an impressive victory last month.
“Ka Ying Resilience completed all of his recovery work in Conghua,” Hayes said. “He had a break there, completed two barrier trials and then returned to Hong Kong only two days before raceday – and he won.”
Hayes also highlighted Conghua’s value as a rehabilitation centre for horses returning from injury.
“Conghua is very good for injured horses for three reasons. Firstly, the tracks are excellent. Secondly, the environment is not as busy as Sha Tin. Thirdly, horses based in Conghua benefit from outstanding rehabilitation facilities such as the water walker,” Hayes said.
Looking ahead, Hayes believes Conghua will also become a popular and successful racing venue when regular race meetings commence, with the first scheduled for October 31, 2026.
It initially opened as a training venue in 2018.
“Conghua Racecourse will be a very good racing venue and I think it will become very popular,” he said. “I am very much looking forward to regular racing there and will support it as strongly as possible.”
Hayes is optimistic about the 2026/27 Hong Kong racing season, believing the experience gained by his younger horses this year will pay dividends in the months ahead.
“Young horses need time, but they should be much better next season,” Hayes said.
One of those emerging prospects is Stormy Knight, who is set to run in the Class 4 Super Oasis Handicap (1200m) at the Season Finale at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The three-year-old Headwater gelding spent time training in Conghua last month and Hayes believes he has the potential to develop into a highly competitive horse next season.
“Stormy Knight is still young and he will learn more from Wednesday’s race,” Hayes said. “He will be a better horse as a four-year-old next term.”
