HKJC Steward Loving NSW Exchange Chance

A growing partnership between Racing NSW and the Hong Kong Jockey Club is giving young stewards valuable exposure to international racing operations, and Justin Ho is the latest to benefit, repoprts racingnsw.com.au. As part of a two-month placement in New South Wales, Ho joined the local panel under former RNSW chairman Marc Van Gestel and officiated on San Domenico Stakes Day, gaining experience not typically available at home. In recent months, he’s chaired meetings at Port Lincoln, Grafton, Kempsey and Gosford – something previously unheard of for a Hong Kong-based steward. In Hong Kong, only the chairman of stewards chairs meetings, which limits opportunities for others to develop that leadership muscle. “The purpose is to be exposed to being in that chair. To run race meetings,” Ho explained. “It helps the younger generation of officials in Hong Kong to be exposed to things we aren’t normally. Working a race meeting is something I enjoy but being in that chair is something different. There’s the added responsibility and it’s a challenge I enjoy.” That model is expanding, with Racing NSW steward Liam Martin already completing his own stint in Hong Kong and three others – Jack Marshall, Reuben Loughlin and Sean Knight – set to follow. Van Gestel now heads a team of five in Hong Kong, which includes deputy Terry Bailey, another former RNSW stalwart in Troy Vassallo, and Ho himself. Three cadets are also part of the broader group, including Thomson Hui who earlier this year spent time on exchange. For Ho, the opportunity has been part of a long journey. “I was a cadet for seven years before being promoted to a fully-fledged steward,” he said. “The biggest difference in stewarding is the makeup of the panel. You have to wait, but you gain the experience for when the opportunity comes.” His path into racing didn’t begin at the track. A football fan with degrees in management and law, Ho initially worked in finance at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “My dad is a solicitor, so there was pressure to do law,” he shared. “But after some experience with barristers and solicitors I worked out it wasn’t for me. I found a role at the club that fits everything I want to do.”