South African Jockey He Weisen to Depart Hong Kong After License Revocation Approved
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on November 11, 2026, that it has approved South African jockey He Weisen's application to revoke his jockey license effective December 24 . The jockey, who cited personal reasons for returning to South Africa, posted a heartfelt message on social media that same afternoon, expressing both bittersweet reluctance and gratitude for his time in Hong Kong. This season, He has only secured one victory aboard the horse Carefree Life, yet he emphasized his deep appreciation for having competed in what he described as one of the most competitive and professionally run racing environments in the world. He is scheduled to ride three horses in Wednesday evening's meeting at Happy Valley, and has pledged to give his best performances in the remaining weeks before returning home.
Key Points
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club approved He Weisen's license revocation application on November 11, with the revocation effective December 24 .
- He cited personal reasons as the basis for his application to return to South Africa, stating he made the decision to go home at the end of this year .
- This season, He Weisen has only won one race with the horse Carefree Life, reflecting a challenging campaign in Hong Kong .
- On November 11 afternoon, He posted on social media thanking the HKJC, trainers, owners, fellow jockeys, and all staff for making his time special .
- He will continue to compete, riding three horses in Wednesday evening's valley grass meeting at Happy Valley .
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's horse racing industry relies on attracting international talent like He Weisen to maintain its reputation as a world-class racing destination, and his departure—even under challenging personal circumstances—underscores the demanding nature of life as a visiting jockey in one of the most competitive racing environments globally . His heartfelt farewell highlights the strong professional bonds formed between international jockeys and the local racing community, demonstrating how Hong Kong continues to serve as a significant career chapter for riders from around the world .
Hong Kong's horse racing industry relies on attracting international talent like He Weisen to maintain its reputation as a world-class racing destination, and his departure—even under challenging personal circumstances—underscores the demanding nature of life as a visiting jockey in one of the most competitive racing environments globally . His heartfelt farewell highlights the strong professional bonds formed between international jockeys and the local racing community, demonstrating how Hong Kong continues to serve as a significant career chapter for riders from around the world .