HKJC Sings Praises of NZ-Breds in HK
1 May 2006
The New Zealand bloodstock industry has a true friend in Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the executive director of racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
With plenty of evidence to back his judgement, Engelbrecht-Bresges says that New Zealand-bred horses are ideal for the demanding Hong Kong racing environment and this country offers the best value when it comes to sourcing racehorses on the international market.
The HKJC scans sales around the world for young horses to offer its members at its annual horses in training sale.
"We would attend seven or eight sales a year and I have no doubt that your New Zealand sale offers the best value of any of them," Engelbrecht-Bresges told Sunday News. "The horses we get from there and others that are brought into Hong Kong prove very adaptable and durable.
"The results of our races show that and I have no hesitation in labelling the New Zealand horses as perfect for racing here."
Engelbrecht-Bresges also praises our breeding industry.
"If I was a breeder with a choice of which country to keep my mares I would have to choose New Zealand. Your climate is wonderful - whenever I have been in New Zealand it's obvious with the pastures you have and the way the horses look."
Two days after Engelbrecht-Bresges spoke with Sunday News, Kiwi-breds won half the card at the prestigious Audemars Piguet QE 11 Cup meeting and two of Hong Kong's best performers of recent years, Best Gift and Super Kid, were second and fourth in the day's international feature.