Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
In today's Installment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Nicky Wong, the Asia Business & Sales Manager at Magic Millions.
TDN AusNZ: What is your first memory related to horses?
Nicky Wong: It would be my first dressage ride with the retired Horse of the Year, Fairy King Prawn at the HKJC Tuen Mun Public riding school, when I was 20. I still remember he had good character but when I got on him, he was so calm and he knew exactly what he was doing and walked like a king. He taught me a lot in my first year riding.
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?
NW: As a trackrider and stablehand in Muskoka Farm, NSW. They have been breaking in and pre-training a number of Group 1 winners in Hong Kong and Australia like Able Friend and Estijaab.
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the Asia Business & Sales Manager at Magic Millions?
NW: Long story short: six years ago I came to Australia to study Trackwork at TAFE and then when working at Muskoka Farm in the first year, I had the opportunity to get introduced to Cassandra Simmonds (Magic Millions) from my teacher in Richmond TAFE, Mrs Joan Percy. She introduced me to the bloodstock side of the racing industry. I then was offered a job from Magic Millions as an Assistant to Sales Director, David Chester, who has been my mentor ever since.
TDN AusNZ: What part of your job would people not know you do?
NW: I have been managing our Asian client's bloodstock interests in Australia - from breaking in to racing and breeding to sales. Also I often ride trackwork at the Gold Coast before heading into the office.
John Messara, Alan Jones, David Chester and Nicky Wong at an Arrowfield Stud stallion parade | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
TDN AusNZ: Are you a racehorse owner now or in the past?
NW: Not yet – but the time will come soon I’m sure!
TDN AusNZ: Who is your pick of the first-season sires?
NW: Stay Inside really appeals to me. He was a fast Golden Slipper winner and he’s a son of the hot young sire Extreme Choice.
TDN AusNZ: What is your most memorable purchase on behalf of a client?
NW: I purchased the El Roca/Bad Dream for owner Mr Joseph Choi at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale and he won his first start in Hong Kong on debut last Sunday. Also, privately I was able to help broker the deal to sell Tourbillion Diamond (formerly Eric The Eel) to Hong Kong connections, Bridle Bloodstock. He has won close to HKD$20 million (AU$3.69 million) being a Group 3 winner and placed in the G1 QEII Cup this year.
TDN AusNZ: What was the most impressive racing performance of the season to date for you?
NW: Golden Sixty winning the Longines Hong Kong Mile and making it 16 wins in a row was exciting. He’s been the dominant horse in Hong Kong for a few seasons and in that race he defeated six overseas rivals from Japan and Ireland very easily. Not bad for a $120,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy – bred and sold in Queensland!
Golden Sixty winning the G1 Hong Kong Mile | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
TDN AusNZ: When inspecting yearlings destined to race in Asia, what are your top three must-haves?
NW: My top three would be good temperament, action and size – that’s aside from the obvious good conformation.
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the industry?
NW: Never give up! Keep trying hard and dare to dream. Opportunities will come if you work hard and continue to learn.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
NW: Frankie Dettori. I always wanted to be a jockey when I was a kid and he has been travelled around the world to win Group 1 races in so many countries. Sadly, I grew a foot or two too tall!
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?
NW: I would love to see more programs and courses for the next generation who want to learn more about the Australian thoroughbred industry - not only to the locals but also internationally. We should have more facilities and resources to promote and educate those wanting to be a part of this incredible industry.
