Supreme Flight makes it 500 Hong Kong wins for trainer Tony Millard (photo: HKJC)
South African trainer Tony Millard reached a career milestone of 500 Hong Kong winners on Sunday, 10 April 2016.
The landmark came courtesy of 8yo Irish-bred Supreme Flight, who delivered Sha Tin’s 1200m Dongcheng District Handicap by half a length, under a stylish ride from Hong Kong’s on-form apprentice jockette, Kei Chiong.
There is only one thing better than a win and that’s two! Millard enjoyed a quick double two races later when Chiong piloted Gallant Rock to a short head victory in race 6, the 1000m Dongzhimen Handicap, notching Chiong’s third win of the day and taking Millard’s tally to 501 career wins in Hong Kong.
Tony Millard is the son of South African training legend Terrance Millard and took out his training license in 1991. He was named SA Champion Trainer in 1992 and 1994 and is best remembered by local fans for his association with horses such as Empress Club, Surfing Home and Jet Master.
Millard relocated to Hong Kong in 2000, where he has plied his trade ever since. He has enjoyed notable victories with Keen Winner (2000 Hong Kong Derby) and dual Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon, whose 13 career wins included two international Gr1s (2011 Audemars Piquet Queen Elizabeth II Cup and 2012 Hong Kong Mile) and five local Gr1s.
Millard also took Hong Kong’s star mare Sweet Sanette to Royal Ascot in 2011 where she finished third in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes.
