Dennis Yip Chor-hong is hoping Christophe Soumillon can iron out some passport issues in time to ride Noisy Boy in next Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin.
Soumillon, who won the 2006 Derby aboard Viva Pataca, rode Fast Network for Yip in January’s Classic Mile and the duo will combine again provided the Belgian can travel.
“He needs to do some immigration first – he lost his passport. He’s checking, but if he can come he will ride Noisy Boy. His agent said he can come,” said Yip.
Noisy Boy was ridden by Andrea Atzeni in the Classic Cup (1,800m), travelling far too quick in the lead before fading into 13th.
Christophe Soumillon wins the 2006 Hong Kong Derby aboard Viva Pataca.
Yip is chasing a second straight Derby victory after the win of Massive Sovereign 12 months ago, while John Size saddles up three runners as he looks to add to victories of Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018) in the city’s most prestigious race.
The 12-time champion trainer tackles the Derby with Mickley and last-start winners Bundle Award and Beauty Alliance.
“Two of them posted very impressive wins at their last start, so it’s a very exciting race for us,” he said.
“[Mickley has] done well. He’s had a bit of tough racing and he’s come through it OK. His last start was disappointing but things didn’t go his way in the run.
Bundle Award punches his 2025 @BMW Hong Kong Derby ticket! 🔥@BenThompson2102 gets John Size's galloper home from the back of the field for a first Class 2 win at Sha Tin... #HKracing pic.twitter.com/erpfaq3dNP
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025
“Since then he’s had a little bit of an ease up, I’ve changed his routine and he’s gone up to Conghua for a freshen up.
“[Bundle Award] was ridden back in the field and allowed to finish the race off the other day. He adapted to that very well and he gets into the race with a live chance.
“[Beauty Alliance’s] improvement has been massive since the beginning of the season. He’s one of those horses who has run into form at the right time and that can be extremely important on the day.
“He’s one of the horses who does extremely well and he’s always been very tough. He probably just needed some racing and a bit of distance to show up.”
