LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 12 March 2026
Former New Zealand-based jockey Nichola Yuen has realised her dream and will commence riding in Hong Kong from the start of next month.
Yuen is the latest product of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School to join Hong Kong’s riding ranks full-time.
The programme utilises other racing jurisdictions to assist in the development of their aspiring jockeys, with several of their apprentices having spent time in New Zealand.
Yuen rode in South Africa and South Australia before heading to New Zealand in 2024 where she was indentured to former champion jockey, and New Zealand Equine Academy lead, Leith Innes.
Yuen was initially based at Byerley Park in South Auckland before moving south to New Zealand’s thoroughbred capital, Cambridge.
She posted 10 wins from 99 starts during the 2024/25 season, but it was the bitter winter chill that left a lasting impression on the now 25-year-old.
“It was very rainy and super cold freezing days. It was really unforgettable,” she said.
Back in Hong Kong, Yuen was officially unveiled as a licensed jockey on Tuesday and is indentured to trainer Ricky Yiu.
“I’m really excited for the future,” she said. “To ride more winners on this, the biggest stage in the world, it’s really exciting.”
Yuen will join Britney Wong in the women’s jockey rooms at Happy Valley and Sha Tin, with Wong having also ridden in New Zealand before being licensed in Hong Kong, where she is apprenticed to David Hall.
Alan Lai, another member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, is currently based in New Zealand and is hoping to break through for his first win in the country aboard Stringline at Wanganui on Saturday.
