BLAKE SHINN TO DEPART HONG KONG RACING AT THE END OF THE SEASON

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, April 20, 2022

With the FWD Champions Day coming up Australian jockey Blake Shinn has dropped a bombshell announcing that he will not seek to renew his license for the 2022/23 season on Hong Kong.

Shinn has announced he will return to Australia.

Shinn has been in Hong Kong since 2019. He has enjoyed his most successful season in 2021/22 riding 26 winners so far – this has included his first Group 1 winners in Hong Kong aboard Sky Field and Russian Emperor.

It is a blow to the Hong Kong Jockey Club who continue to try to bolster their jockeys ranks in the face of the COVID19 pandemic.

Since February Hong Kong has been plagued by escalating COVID19 infections in the community forcing the HKJC to close the track to patrons and enforce strict rules for the participants in racing. These have included strict restrictions from the HKJC participants that have restricted socializing with anyone that they do not live with.

These restrictions have been eased in the last week, however, it is understood that Shinn along with others have struggled with the rules.

The HKJC has done a tremendous job in ensuring racing has continued in the face of the latest insurgence of the pandemic across the territory. Racing is an integral part of the culture in Hong Kong and these protective measures have seen meetings continue seamlessly.

It is understood that Shinn will return to New South Wales. At the young age of 34 he will be welcomed home in Australia with his style of competitive riding and his superb track record.

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