Willy Kan
Encyclopedia
Willy Kan Wai-yue (June 17, 1978–March 21, 1999), was a popular and promising female apprentice jockey from Hong Kong
, who had ridden to no less than 17 victories in her short career (1997–1999).
In her last race ever at the Sha Tin Racecourse
, the horse she was riding, Happy King (漢廷之寶), clipped the heels of other horses, causing her to fall. As the horses were bunched up together, she was kicked in the chest and head by the horses who could not get out of the way in time. She would die 2½ hours later in hospital.
As a mark of respect, the rest of the card in Sha Tin on that day was cancelled. And in her honour, the trophy awarded to the Champion Apprentice each season has now been renamed the "Willy Kan Memorial Cup".
She was the first jockey to die racing in Hong Kong since Brian Taylor
in 1984.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, who had ridden to no less than 17 victories in her short career (1997–1999).
In her last race ever at the Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...
, the horse she was riding, Happy King (漢廷之寶), clipped the heels of other horses, causing her to fall. As the horses were bunched up together, she was kicked in the chest and head by the horses who could not get out of the way in time. She would die 2½ hours later in hospital.
As a mark of respect, the rest of the card in Sha Tin on that day was cancelled. And in her honour, the trophy awarded to the Champion Apprentice each season has now been renamed the "Willy Kan Memorial Cup".
She was the first jockey to die racing in Hong Kong since Brian Taylor
Brian Taylor (jockey)
Brian Taylor was a successful jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing best known for riding Snow Knight to victory in the 1974 Epsom Derby.Taylor was born in Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, England...
in 1984.