Ending a 7 Year Grade 1 Drought, Horse Racing Icon Derek Leung Celebrates Recent Triumph

Despite being stacked against the odds, the horse racing world witnessed Hong Kong licensed jockey secure a sensational Grade 1 victory at Sha Tin Racecourse. The last time he tasted success in Group 1 was back in 2017, and as he looked to end the barrage of losses imposed on the badlands of horse racing, the 2010 Asian Young Guns Challenger was also conversely deemed to be among the least favorite. 1200m later, he proved everyone wrong.

Lucky Sweynesse was touted as the favorite to win the race, but Derek Leung was drafted by Victor the Winner with odds of 37/1. The ‘Winner‘ did equanimity and justice to its name as Leung gave his all to the 5-year-old.

Derek Leung is a messianic figure for the horse racing realm

In the latest update on X, World Horse Racing revealed the celebrations of Derek Leung after winning the Grade 1 Centenary Sprint Cup. “That G1-winning feeling Derek Leung celebrates his Centenary Sprint Cup victory on VICTOR THE WINNER!“, the caption read. Leung was beaming with joy and excitement, giving a warm high-five to Hong Kong racing official Declan Schuster. “It felt great”, he later said in an interview before having let a winning scream audible back to a kilometer.

It marked the second Grade 1 victory of Leung’s career. The first came aboard Beauty Generation in 2017 at the Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m). Before turning pro in 2011, the 35-year-old had won 70 races as an apprentice jockey. He signed up with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the 2014-15 season, and besides Hong Kong Mile, he won the Hong Kong Classic Cup in 2019 and the Jockey Club Cup in 2011. But the recent unchallenged victory is a moment of a lifetime for him.

Leung is undeterred at the Grade 1 Centenary Sprint Cup

As he looked to end the decade-long approaching wait at Sha Tin Racecourse, it seemed as if a magical spell had been cast on Derek Leung. Jumping from barrier 10, Leung breezed past opponents in no time. He raced unchallenged through the first 400m in 24.30 seconds. Not taking any unnecessary risk, Leung accelerated on the home turn to take an unassailable lead.

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“They can’t catch Victor The Winner“ were the words of HJKC Racing as Leung strode through the final 400m faster than the first lap in 22.18 seconds. Eventually, he was crowned the champion of the Centenary Sprint Cup leaving behind the 2nd placed Lucky With You by a length and three-quarters. Multiple Grade 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse, who was the favorite, finished 6th. With confidence truly back in Leung’s saddle, the horse racing world will hope to witness many such memorable victories from him.

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