Monday, 5th January 2026
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The Hong Kong Jockey Club has confirmed the retirement of trainer Tony Millard, reports scmp.com. A former champion trainer in South Africa, Millard trained over 700 winners in Hong Kong, also winning the prestigious Hong Kong Derby for 4YOs with Keen Winner (Selkirk-Degaanwy, by Caerleon) in 2000, his first season in Hong Kong. His best horse was dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (Pins-Golden Gamble, by Oregon) who won 13 of his 30 starts including two wins at Group 1 level. In 2011, Millard took Sweet Sanette (Jallad-Scented Samantha, by National Assembly) to Royal Ascot where she ran third in the Gr1 Kings Stand Stakes. More recently he won the Gr1 Champions and Charter Cup with Panfield (Lookin at Lucky-Esterina, by Orpen). Millard's father Terrance had an unrivalled reputation as a trainer, claiming a record 117 Gr1 wins (including 6 Durban Julys), a figure surpassed by Mike de Kock in 2018. Meanwhile, the report also revealed that Hong Kong's jockey ranks for the new season will incliude Andrea Atzeni. The Italian native, who bases himself in England is not coming in cold, having had a stint in The Territory in 2014-15. His new licence will be active until 12 February, 2024.
