Jack Wong: From a grade 7 pianist to an apprentice jockey

12/06/2015 11:42

Playing piano looks a completely different thing from horse riding. However, apprentice jockey Jack Wong can make the two hobbies a perfect match.

Wong said: “I learned playing piano when I was just a kid. Rhythm is a vital ingredient to piano playing but when I joined the Apprentice Jockeys’ School I also found that understanding rhythm was also the key to horse riding.”

A grade 7 pianist, Wong recalled a Club’s recruitment advertisement in a newspaper was ‘up to his eyeballs’ and together with the influence from his uncle, he started to think of being a jockey.

Wong recalled: “I was just a quiet boy and my most favourite hobbies are playing piano and basketball. In the summer of 2009, I noticed that there was a recruitment advertisement to enroll new students into Apprentice Jockeys’ School. Having sought the advice from my uncle, I decided to apply. But, frankly speaking, I wouldn’t have expected I could be a jockey.”

Having passed the interview, fitness and riding tests, Wong was granted admission to the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School. Besides learning the riding skills, students have to study the Certificate Racing Programme, which was formulated by the Racing Development Board (RDB). The programme includes courses on riding, horse grooming, stable management, English, computer applications, sports science, music and personal financial management.

“Interestingly we have to take the course on music, and the main purpose is to learn how to relax yourself and also to enhance your rhythm scene. These will certainly assist your riding performance. It is hard to imagine that my experience in playing piano would make my job easier now,” Wong added.

After finishing his Hong Kong study Wong travelled to New Zealand to undertake overseas training with Matamata based trainer John Sargent. Wong was subsequently transferred to the Riccarton stable of trainer Mike McCann and then to Lance O’Sullivan. During his stint in New Zealand Wong rode 36 winners from 443 race rides. He came back to Hong Kong earlier this year and was allocated to trainer Me Tsui who is also a graduate of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School.

At 21 years of age, Wong made his Hong Kong debut on 8 March 2015 and has ridden 5 winners so far this season.