Newnham ends season on a high

Mark Newnham's stable is home to one of Hong Kong's most exciting horses and the trainer, a superb winner of 43 races in his second campaign, heads into the Season Finale at Happy Valley today, already keen on what 2025/26 may have in store.

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Newnham said: "As long as I built on last year, I was always going to be happy. I would say it's probably exceeded expectations as far as being able to win a feature race with My Wish.

"Over the last three months we've had a lot of second placings (10 since the start of June), but I've had a few wide draws and they're horses that haven't had a lot of exposure, so hopefully they're winners next season - which I think they will be. Overall, I'm very happy."

Eclipsing his 31-win maiden term, Newnham continues to make waves with a raft of young horses in Hong Kong. The 57-year-old handler is entrenched in the championship's top 10 and enjoyed a breakout year with My Wish - honoured as this season's Most Improved Horse at the recent Champion Awards following his 51-point rating rise to a career-high 105.

"I think that was a just reward for horse and owners. I think the best is ahead of him and we can be going into next season pretty hopeful," Newnham said.