AUSSIE RUNNERS ABSENT FROM HKIR - TIME TO REASSESS THE TRAVEL PROTOCOLS - A WINNO OPINION PIECE

By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 12, 2025

Australian Sprinters Are Missing HKIR — And Time Is Running Out to Fix the Problem

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has repeatedly voiced frustration at the lack of Australian participation in the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) since the pandemic. The appearances of Without A Fight, Antino and Recommendation last year helped, but the absence of elite Australian sprinters remains concerning.

Despite Australia’s global reputation for producing world-class sprinters and milers, there are no Australian runners in the HKIR in 2025.

In one sense, it is hard to believe with HK$130 million in prize money on offer, but there are valid reasons for their absence.

Scheduling plays a part. HKIR sits awkwardly at the end of a prize-money-heavy Australian spring, but Engelbrecht-Bresges’ comments after Ka Ying Rising’s emphatic Everest victory made Hong Kong’s ambitions clear … this should be a genuine two-way global rivalry.

“It’s extremely important to show that Hong Kong is a global city … and this is how we want to lift global racing,” he said.

With Ka Ying Rising now internationally recognised, the expectation is obvious … top Australian sprinters should reciprocate, although in reality, in this particular instance, many may want to avoid Ka Yong Rising.

The fundamental roadblock is Australia’s quarantine requirements.

HKJC Head of Racing Product Greg Carpenter summarised the issue.

Horses from Japan, Europe and the Middle East can fly in, race, and return home within days whereas Australian horses must complete: Two weeks post-race quarantine in Hong Kong, and another two weeks upon arrival in Australia which means a Hong Kong raid becomes a five-to-six-week campaign.

For most owners and trainers, that is a problem. For many, it is not a feasible option at all.

If Australian racing wants true global participation — incoming and outgoing — the system needs modernising.

A dedicated, quarantine-certified international equine facility could, streamline global movement, reduce the time burden on travelling horses, support racing, sales and equestrian events and preserve biosecurity without paralysing international participation

Recent developments such as Toowoomba Airport and Western Sydney Airport show the logistics are achievable and the infrastructure is emerging.

The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will force the issue.

The equestrian requirements of the 2032 Olympics will test Queensland … and Australia’s… biosecurity settings more than any racing event ever could.

Reform is coming, sooner or later.

Australian racing can either be ahead of that change or be dragged into it.

For the good of international competition … and the integrity of its own global standing … it should choose the former.

Winno