Horse Racing Icon Zac Purton Tees Up Surprising Golf Connection Ahead of Hong Kong Tournament

The Hong Kong Internal Races (HKIR) are making a comeback for the 2023 season on the 10th of December. 4 Group 1 races, HK$118 million, or $23.8 million in prize money, and 44 of the finest horses will bring out the thrill and anticipation amongst the horse racing community. Hopping in on the celebratory event is the famed Australian jockey, Zac Purton.

The HKIR is a meet of the glory. The best of the industry make their way to the annual events. In anticipating such an event, an enthusiast wouldn’t mind having little exclusives and behind-the-scenes of the contesting athletes. Today, Zac Purton, arrived for just that. Giving a glimpse into his life, the jockey revealed swooning facts.

The horse racing star gets candid

Ahead of the Hong Kong races, World Horse Racing took to X to share a candid interview with the Australian jockey. For the post, Zac was asked who the most famous person on his phone was. Though his initial answer hilariously was ‘his wife,’ his next reply was equally interesting. “Maybe Cameron Smith, the golfer,” he responded. However, that wasn’t all. Cameron’s mention led Purton to talk about his interest in golf. “Hopefully I can get in the Pro-Am,” he started. He also comically added that if he does get in and has any spectators, he suggests they bring a helmet along for his terrible skills.

Golfing pro or not, Zac is definitely a remarkable presence in the horse racing industry. The Austrian golfing icon isn’t someone to casually find on anybody’s phone and Purton proves to be not just anybody with Cameron’s connection and his amusing jockey career through the years.

Zac Purton hopes to shine

The Australian jockey is no stranger to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. After winning Brisbane jockeys’ premiership as an apprentice in 2003, he moved to Hong Kong for the 2007/08 season. Since then, he has had 854 career wins on the region’s soil. Keeping up with the momentum, he will be boarding 4 horses for the HKIR on the 10th of December. La City Blanche and Sword Point will take the Hong Kong Vase and Cup respectively. However, his hopes lie on sprinter Lucky Sweynesse for the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

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“I think he’s at his best now so hopefully he can have even luck on raceday and he can do his thing,” Zac stated according to Campaign HKJC. His next hope will be on Beauty Eternal in the HK$32 million G1 HK Mile. The annual races will mark their start on the 10th of December at the Sha Tin Racecourse.

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