Zac Purton, Brenton Avdulla holidays ‘not a policy shift’, but there must be a line

While chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges confirms ‘it’s an exemption, not a rule’, the Jockey Club should continue exhibiting flexibility around ‘special events’.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 6:37 PM





Within a few hours of banging in a New Year’s Day treble, Zac Purton was in the departure lounge at Hong Kong International Airport ready to go on a family holiday.


This, insists Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, is not something the six-time champion rider should get used to.


Jockeys taking breaks during a Hong Kong racing season is not common, and the reality is that some cannot afford to head off on a holiday mid-campaign and risk losing hard-earned momentum and upcoming rides.


Purton can. He’s 17 clear in the premiership after reaching 50 winners for the 14th consecutive season on Monday, but he’s not the only jockey to take a little festive recess after Brenton Avdulla returned to Australia for a family wedding over Christmas.


While it’s refreshing to see the Jockey Club show some flexibility not so long after its riders were subject to the most testing of Covid-19 restrictions, Engelbrecht-Bresges was quick to confirm the recent approach is “not a policy shift”.


“It was due to circumstances that link back to Covid and last year when jockeys were under significant mental stress. Therefore, there was a little bit of give and take, but it’s not what we plan as a regular exercise,” he said.


“We were informed that with Avdulla it was a long-term commitment. We have very special events where you have to accept them … but it’s an exemption, it’s not a rule.


“We have to be clear. If you look from a product side, I’m not really happy with Thursday’s meeting – you miss Purton and we have now [Hugh] Bowman with a suspension. It’s not ideal.



Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.


“We allow jockeys to ride overseas at certain meetings but I personally think when it comes to holidays, the product we have on the track has to be attractive and the stars of this are the horses and the jockeys.”


The absence of Purton will probably have something of a negative impact on betting turnover, but surely the bigger-picture view is that any short-term loss is more than offset by fostering an environment where the best jockeys want to stay long-term.


While both Purton and Avdulla negotiated their “special events” well in advance while working through contracts with the Jockey Club, the city’s riders shouldn’t need to feel like they’re making a deal when asking for a few days off.


The Jockey Club was quick to get on the front foot and allow jockeys to compete overseas once Covid permitted – it had to be because its ability to attract and retain world-class riders relies on it.


With officials facing a constant battle to lure the best jockeys, giving riders the freedom to live their lives outside racing, and what that looks like to those considering a Hong Kong stint, could be even more important.

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