"Job Done": Zac Purton on his 1,814 win in Hong Kong

Jan 24

4 min read

Zac Purton on his 1,814 win in Hong Kong. (Photo: Zac Purton)

Zac Purton is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished jockeys in the world, and his incredible achievements in Hong Kong racing have solidified his place as a dominant force in the sport. Since his arrival in Hong Kong in 2007, Purton has enjoyed a career marked by consistency, remarkable victories, and unprecedented milestones.

The Road to Hong Kong: Early Years and Australian Triumphs

Purton's journey to global prominence began in Australia, where he showed early promise. In 2003, at just 20 years old, he claimed the Brisbane Champion Jockey title as an apprentice, signalling the start of a promising career. After a stint in Sydney, where he came close to winning the jockeys' championship twice, Purton made the bold decision to move to Hong Kong in 2007. This move would prove to be a game-changer. Did he ever think that he would ever be in Hong Kong all the way from Lismore?

“No way. I didn’t know where HK was back in those days. It’s very surreal.” Purton says.

Dominating Hong Kong: Championship Titles and Unprecedented Wins

Purton's arrival in Hong Kong marked the beginning of an era of dominance. In the 2013/14 season, he ended Douglas Whyte’s 13-season reign as champion jockey, claiming his first Hong Kong title with 112 wins. This victory was just the beginning of a remarkable run, including setting the record for the fastest 50 wins in Hong Kong history during that season.

One of the most memorable moments of his career came in the 2017/18 season, when Purton halted Joao Moreira’s three-season streak of dominance. Despite trailing for much of the season, Purton made a dramatic comeback, finishing with 136 wins to Moreira's 134.

Purton's success continued in the following years. He secured a third consecutive championship in 2019/20, racking up 147 wins and winning three Group 1 races. A standout moment from that season was his victory in the 2020 QEII Cup aboard Exultant, which made Purton the first jockey in history to win every Group 1 race on the Hong Kong calendar.

Though his title streak was interrupted in the 2020/21 season, Purton quickly regained his form. In 2021/22, he captured his fifth Hong Kong Champion Jockey crown after a fierce battle with Moreira. That season also saw Purton claim his third International Jockeys' Championship title.

In 2023/24, Purton claimed his seventh Hong Kong Champion Jockey title, finishing the season with 130 wins and surpassing the 1,700-career win mark. It was another milestone in a year full of iconic victories, including wins in the Hong Kong Derby, Hong Kong Sprint, and Champions Mile.

Apart from his wins, as a jockey he feels that his personal achievement as a racing jockey is “To be as consistent as I have over a long period of time.”, Purton says.

Records and Achievements

Purton's name is synonymous with excellence in Hong Kong racing, with a record few can rival. He set the Hong Kong single-season prize money record of HK$277,712,060 in the 2022/23 season, and he also set the record for the most wins in a season with 179 victories during the same campaign.

Purton has built an impressive list of victories, both domestically and internationally, including:

Hong Kong Derby: 2015 (Luger), 2024 (Massive Sovereign)
Hong Kong Cup: 2017 (Time Warp), 2020 (Normcore)
Hong Kong Mile: 2012 (Ambitious Dragon), 2016 (Beauty Only), 2018 (Beauty Generation), 2022 (California Spangle)
Hong Kong Sprint: 2014 & 2016 (Aerovelocity), 2023 (Lucky Sweynesse)
Hong Kong Vase: 2013 (Dominant), 2018 (Exultant)
QEII Cup: 2020 (Exultant)
Champions Mile: 2018 & 2019 (Beauty Generation), 2024 (Beauty Eternal)
King’s Stand Stakes (2012): (Little Bridge)
Singapore Airlines International Cup (2013): (Military Attack)

Internationally, Purton has also achieved success, winning prestigious races such as the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (2015) and the KrisFlyer International Sprint (2015), further cementing his status as one of the world’s finest jockeys.

A Record-Breaking Career

By the start of the 2024/25 season, Purton had amassed 1,740 career wins in Hong Kong, with a win strike rate of 17.3%. His ability to consistently perform under pressure has made him a fan favourite and a respected figure in the sport. In April 2024, Purton reached the remarkable milestone of 1,814 career wins, surpassing the previous record of 1,813 wins set by the legendary Douglas Whyte. Reflecting on his achievement, what was the first thing that came to his mind when we went past that winning post?

“Job done”, Purton says.

Zac Purton riding Spirit of Peace, trained by John Size. (Photo: Zac Purton)

His record-breaking 179 wins in the 2022/23 season, as well as his numerous top-tier victories, have solidified his place among the sport’s greatest. Purton’s career, which spans over 10,358 rides in Hong Kong, has been one of remarkable longevity, dedication, and success.