"Tommy" Hough as he was affectionately called by his friends, was a big man and had to train very hard to keep down his weight. His riding career came to a close in we think, the Annual Meeting of 1894; as when riding the Champions on, we believe, a pony appropriately named Vagrant, he was unfortunately brought down and broke a leg. Subsequently he acted as Clerk of the Course, which position he held for, we should say, at least 20 years until his departure from the Colony. He always wore hunting attire at the Annual Meetings and looked a most imposing figure in his boots, scarlet coat and top hat.
"We feel that both the late Sir Henry and Mr. T. F. Hough merit a race to be named after them as a fitting reminder of their labours in the interest of racing at the Valley, and we trust the present Stewards of the Hongkong Jockey Club will favourably consider the suggestion. Give honour where honour is due, thus perpetuating the memory of two gallant sportsmen, who devoted so much labour and time, willingly given, in furthering the interest of Hongkong Racing."
The photograph published to-day shows Hongkong's race course as it was over a quarter century ago, depicting a time when (as "Harvester" pointed out on Saturday) the annual race meeting was a big social event.
The costumes of the people in this photo are sufficient to date it: the old grandstand, the public matsheds (some years afterwards the cause of a terrible disaster when they caught fire), and the untouched Morrison Hill in the background, are easily made out. It recalls a bit of old Hongkong which modern progress has lost to us forever.
A brief history of racing in the Colony, and the founding of the H.K. Jockey Club might be given here. The Club's records date back to 1849, but earlier chronicles show that racing commenced here in 1845, and was in full swing in 1846; prior to that (1841-45) races were held at Macao and were attended by Hongkong residents. At first ponies were imported from Manila, and one of these, named Tetoy, became famous. Horses were also raced and these in the early days were probably Indian walers and Arab horses, with later importations from the Cape, Australia and England. Records of regular annual meetings (almost in every case held in February) go back to 1848, and a four-day meeting was the order.
The first China ponies were imported in 1856, a special race (the Celestial Stakes over half a mile) being confined to them. Races for mixed ponies were also held. Some thorough-bred English horses were raced in 1864.
In 1859 a two-day meeting was held, and a temporary decline seems to have set in, but a revival was not long in coming. The Foochow Cup was inaugurated in 1863 (given by the Foochow community) and the Ladies' Purse was already an established event.
In 1862 professional riders were prohibited from riding in the training gallops from December 1 to the time of the annual meeting in February.
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845
"Tommy" Hough as he was affectionately called by his friends, was a big man and had to train very hard to keep down his weight. His riding career came to a close in we think. the Annual Meeting of 1894; as when riding the Champions on, we believe, a pony approprietly named Vagrant, he was unfortunately brought down and broke a leg. Subsequently he acted as Clerk of the Course, which position he held for, we should say, at least 20 years until his departure from the Colony. He always wore hunting attire at the Annual Meetings and looked a most imposing figure in his boots, scarlet coat and top hat.
"We feel that both the late Sir Henry and Mr. T. F. Hough merit a race to be named after them as a fitting reminder of their labours in the interest of racing at the Valley, and we trust the present Stewards of the Hongkong Jockey Club will favourably consider the suggestion. Give honour where honour is due, thus perpetuating the memory of two gallant sportsmen, who devoted so much labour and time, willingly given, in furthering the interest of Hongkong Racing."
The photograph published to-day shows Hongkong's race course as it was over a quarter century ago, depicting a time when (as "Harvester pointed out on Saturday) the annual race meeting was a big social event.
The costumes of the people in this photo are sufficient to date it: the old grandstand, the public matsheds (some years afterwards the cause of a terrible disaster when they caufht fire), and the untouched Morrison Hill in the background, are easily made out. It recalls a bit of old Hongkong which modern progress has lost to us forever.
A brief history of racing in the Colony, and the founding of the H.K. Jockey Club might be given here. The Club's records date back to 1849, but earlier chronicles show that racing commenced here in 1845, and was in full swing in · 1846; prior to that (1841-45) races were held at Macao and were attended by Hongkong residents. At first ponies were imported from Manila, and one of these, named Tetoy, became famous. Horses were also raced and the se in the early days were probably Indian walers and Arab horses, with later importations from the Cape, Australia and England. Records of regular annual meetings (almost in every case held in February) go back to 1848, and a four-day meeting was the order.
The first China ponies were imported in 1856, a special race (the Celestial Stakes over half a mile) being confined to them. Races for mixed ponies were also held. Some thorough - bred English horses were raced in 1864.
In 1859 a two-day meeting was held, and a temporary decline seems to have set in, but a revival was not long in coming. The Foochow Cup was inaugurated in 1863 (given by the Foochow community) and the Ladies' Purse was already an established event.
In 1862 professional riders were prohibited from riding in the training gallops from December 1 to the time of the annual meeting in February.
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