Jockey Craig Williams has issued a message to Hong Kong racing fans to get ready for one of Australia’s most admired gallopers, as Mr Brightside prepares to tackle the elite in the FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin this Sunday.
“Mr Brightside is an absolute warrior,” Williams said of the New Zealand-bred seven-year-old he’s partnered 39 times. “He’s a star, and he competes at the elite level every time he goes around.”
Mr Brightside arrives at Sha Tin with 19 wins from 43 starts and more than A$17.3 million (approx. HK$85.8 million) in earnings. He’s set to face off against Hong Kong hero Voyage Bubble and other world-class contenders in the HK$24 million Group 1 feature.
“There are no days off for a horse like that when he competes. He’s on show, he’s on display. And he has a following, everyone loves him in Australia. He will carry the weight of a nation when it comes to the big day at Sha Tin,” Williams said.
“I am very privileged to ride him. He has been developed by the Hayes boys (Ben, Will & JD). He was their first Group 1, the three brothers together, and it has been a privilege to be part of his journey, his development.”
Williams highlighted Mr Brightside’s class, referencing his narrow defeat to Romantic Warrior in the Cox Plate (2040m), where the superstar was beaten by the barest of margins.
The champion jockey also praised the Hayes brothers—Ben, and twins JD and Will—who represent the third generation of the famed Lindsay Park training dynasty.
Lindsay Park was originally established in the 1960s by legendary trainer Colin Hayes at Angaston, South Australia. The operation is now based in Euroa, Victoria, and has been rejuvenated under the stewardship of his grandsons.
Williams has long-standing ties with the Hayes family. While riding in Hong Kong between 2003 and 2005, he served as second jockey to David Hayes.
“Gerald Mosse was his first jockey, but he was in the heavier bracket and I was picking up the lightweight rides,” Williams recalled.
That stint followed a successful period in the UK, where Williams rode Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s Tobougg to victory in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
“I really excelled after my time in England and then fine-tuned it with the three years I was in Hong Kong. Europe gave me the confidence,” Williams said. “On a Saturday, I was riding against all the best in England, then on Sunday against all the best in Europe. Completely different to Australia.”
Upon returning to Melbourne, Williams reunited with David Hayes and won nine Victorian jockeys’ titles—five of them while riding as Hayes’s go-to jockey.
“When I came back, David backed me. He went to his owners and said ‘I want Craig riding for me.’ Half of my championships were due to the dominance of Lindsay Park and me being lucky enough to be their number one rider,” he added.
Williams holds the Hayes brothers in equally high regard. “They do it collectively. They are impressive young men. Most importantly, they are getting the results,” he said.
Williams also fulfilled a personal goal last month, winning the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aboard Cap Ferrat, trained by Francis Lui. The former Australian-based galloper had been Group 1 placed behind stars like Tom Kitten, Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf.
“I rode in my first Hong Kong Derby 24 years ago. I was second on a horse trained by Lawrie Fownes. I was thrilled to win the big one, particularly being trained by Francis, who gave me so much support during my time in Hong Kong,” Williams said.
Cap Ferrat now lines up in the HK$28 million FWD QEII Cup (2000m) where he faces off against the likes of Goliath, winner of the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, along with Japanese raider Prognosis and Kiwi contender El Vencedor.
“While Cap Ferrat needs to find something on official ratings, he had never managed to get his head in front before the Derby last month. Imagine how he feels now. He has the capacity to improve because he’s now a winner,” Williams said.
Back in familiar territory, Williams will relish his return to Hong Kong, not just for his personal accomplishments, but also for the opportunity to showcase one of Australia’s best in Mr Brightside, a horse he describes as “very special.”
