The Hong Kong Jockey Club has acceded to a request from former SA Champion Jockey Keagan De Melo to withdraw his current part-season Jockey’s licence effective from 1 December 2025.
De Melo submitted the application on the grounds of returning to South Africa for personal reasons.
Riding in Hong Kong is the dream of many jockey around the globe and De Melo would have arrived full of hope in August 2023.
However, securing good rides on the island is notoriously difficult.
The effect of not getting rides can snowball and this is what looked to have happened to De Melo as he had a lack of support throughout his stint of just over two years.
A look at the current log sees him having had the second least number of rides this season of the more than 20 contracted jockeys.
He has had a paltry 47 rides this season and is yet to get off the mark, a ridiculous situation for a jockey of his skills.
In his first season he had 21 wins and 12 in his second season.
He had 33 wins in all at a strike rate of 5%, but he did have one memorable moment when winning the G3 Premier Cup on Copartner Prince, a horse he has also partnered to a Gr 2 and Gr 3 second this season respectively.
However, South Africa will be looking forward to welcoming this fine rider back and he should be in demand from day one.
