Hong Kong racing takes centre stage in December, with the showpiece Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) meeting the highlight of a busy month.

The Post analyses the jockeys and trainers who had a month to remember or one to forget, as well as the most outstanding victory and winning ride of December.

Who’s hot?

Zac Purton finished December with a flurry of winners, nailing a record-equalling six at Happy Valley on Boxing Day and a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday to reach 1,800 career victories in Hong Kong.

The champion jockey added 17 wins for the month to boost his seasonal tally to 60 – well clear of nearest rival, Hugh Bowman on 26. It wasn’t quite his best month this term – he rode 19 winners in October – but Purton is in ominous form heading into 2025.

After a more sluggish start even by his standards and a plethora of placegetters, John Size desperately needed a big month.

His wish was granted when the 12-time trainer bagged 10 wins, highlighted by a Sha Tin treble on December 15, to get his campaign well and truly back on track. His haul for December was clearly the best among the training ranks, with Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s eight next in line.

Jerry Chau Chun-lok also breathed new life into his season with six crucial victories in December. After only five winners from the first 30 meetings, Chau struck with a much-needed treble at Sha Tin on December 22 and a double at the following meeting at Happy Valley on Boxing Day.

Who’s not?

Karis Teetan slipped from fourth to seventh on the jockeys’ championship after just one win from 42 rides in December. The Mauritian’s woes were further compounded by careless riding suspensions which forced him to miss three meetings during the month.

Caspar Fownes also slid down the trainers’ title standings, dropping from second to fifth after a winless December from 55 runners. The handler known as the ‘King of the Valley’ racked up 10 placegetters – including five seconds – in a frustrating period. His luck will no doubt change quickly.

Win of the month

It’s hard to go past Romantic Warrior’s historic third straight victory in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar was Hong Kong’s flag-bearer on HKIR day, becoming the first horse to win the Cup three times while also surpassing Golden Sixty’s world record prize money figure.

The race panned out perfectly for Romantic Warrior – he settled fourth on the rail from the inside draw before James McDonald moved him off the fence to make his move.

While Japan’s Liberty Island and Tastiera fleetingly loomed as dangers, they were no match for one of Hong Kong’s all-time greats as he chalked up a remarkable ninth Group One triumph.

Ride of the month

There were several top-shelf rides in December, but Chau’s superb display on Sky Joy gets the nod as the best.

While his early manoeuvring to get across from gate 14 led to a careless riding suspension of two meetings, it was Chau’s riding at the top of the straight that was most impressive.

He held his line firmly but fairly, keeping Purton pocketed and blocked for clear running on the favourite Sunny Da Best in what proved a winning move.

Sky Joy rushed to the lead at the 150m and Sunny Da Best rocketed home once finally getting into the clear, but it was too late.

Other rides worthy of mentions were Luke Ferraris’ on My Wish, landing in a dream position in third from gate 13 en route to a strong victory, and Antoine Hamelin’s breakthrough success on Raging Blizzard.