MY SMALL TRIBUTE TO VIERI CHAN – THE HONG KONG RACES CELEBRITY CARICATURE ARTIST

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 28, 2019

You come to the races in Hong Kong a job to do. You take photographs, talk to people - from the jockeys to the trainers, Hong Kong Jockey Club officials, other media … virtually everybody you can to get as much information, background and story angles to ensure that the coverage you offer will of a very high standard.

I am extremely grateful that I am in a position to be able to speak to the likes of jockeys and trainers and for the time they give me. It is a wonderful and humbling experience … no question about that … but, equally as pleasurable is finding a special story amongst the unsung heroes of racing who come to the races for fun, for punting, for the atmosphere … particularly when they have a talent and an established presence which adds to positive vibe of the day.

A story like that of Vieri Chan.

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Last year I came to Sha Tin on LONGINES International Race Day and was busy taking photos one man in the crowd caught my attention. He was a man with hand painted pictures and caricatures of the famous horses and jockeys of Hong Kong.

Vieri Chan, always smiling and always available to take time out for a photo, is a talented man who has taken up this caricature challenge since 2015. For four seasons now Chan’s presence has grabbed the attention of the local Hong Kong race goers and foreign visitors who come to the track and marvel at his talent and his passion for racing.

Chan, who is a Police Sergeant away from the track, told me: “In February 2015, I got an injury on my leg and then sick leave about 3 months. I love Hong Kong horse racing about 30 years.

“After Joao Moreira came to Hong Kong, he became my idol. At the 2015 HK Derby Day, I draw a picture of Joao and bring to racecourse for support him. The name of the horse is Redkirk Warrior”

Chan stops throughout the day to have photos with spectators, visitors and even WINNO!

Chan impressed me so much that I provided him with an HRO cap and a Gold Coast Turf Club tie at that Longines International Races meeting in December as a token of my appreciation for what he does in promoting the sport.

Then we parted company but we promised that we would meet again!

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Fast forward to last week I returned to Sha Tin for the FWD Champions Day.

I am looking for my new friend. I cannot find him in the crowd. I am worried – the people tell me he always comes to the races.

Then just before the Chairman’s Sprint Race (race 6 on the program) I see him on the fence line looking right at me with his warm, beaming smile and with his unique and amazing artwork in his hand. I walk across and shake his hand and we smile and reunite our friendship.

As usual he has several of his original and unique arts works to show me.

He shows me his latest creation – Beauty Generation with “Number 8 win” on the caricature. He hopes that his efforts will be rewarded with the Hong Kong Champion winning his 8th season win and creating a Hong Kong record in doing so!

He then shows me his other caricatures of horses that are in the FWS QEII Cup – all Hong Kong horses – all original creations!

Unfortunately, the winner was not a Hong Kong horse on this occasion. With an outsider from Japan (Win Bright) winning the race in record time!

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So this is my tribute to Vieri Chan – his absolute passion for racing is something that I have never encountered in all my time around Australia and the world and the fact that he brings his talents and passion to the races for the betterment of all who encounter him is something that I thought must be acknowledged.

The respect for this man and the high esteem that he is held in at the track is highlighted by the fact that trainers and jockeys stop and autograph his creations as they return from the winning ceremony on the track. He does not harass them to do this – but they come, they stop, and they validate his work and no doubt bring a smile to his face and to those spectators that are in proximity of the exchange of good feeling.

Such is the wonderful sport of racing. It brings the battler together with superstars and millionaires. i

I salute you Vieri Chan – you are an inspiration to Horse Racing community in Hong Kong.

May you continue to do what you do and bring so much pleasure to the followers of the sport of racing.

Until we meet again my friend – keep doing what you do

It is amazing!

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