Harry Bentley Secures First Hong Kong Group 2 Win
Elle
Oct 30th 2025
Likes
Share:
On Sunday, the British jockey Harry Bentley reached a landmark in his Hong Kong racing career when he rode Tomodachi Kokoroe to an impressive win in the HK$5.35 million (around £500,000) Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin. The act of power was not only the first Group 2 win in Hong Kong for Harry Bentley but also elevated Tomodachi Kokoroe to the top-tier contender status for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December.
The win came remarkably, as Tomodachi Kokoroe delivered one of the fastest 1200-metre runs ever recorded in Hong Kong racing. The gelding’s finishing time was second only to stablemate Ka Ying Rising, currently the world’s top-rated sprinter. The display of speed and precision left racing fans and professionals alike acknowledging the horse’s progress under the guidance of trainer David Hayes.
Harry Bentley, a few seasons back, is a new face in the Hong Kong circuit and has just been brilliant throughout with no weak point in the entire section of his riding. He was spot on during the initial part of the race, he brought the race to himself when the speed was increased very late in the straight and he also kept his cool up to the very end. As soon as Harry Bentley had the chance, he signaled for a strong ride and Tomodachi Kokoroe was the first one to reply to the call, he shot ahead of the competitors with great resolve.
The win continued Bentley’s strong association with Tomodachi Kokoroe, a partnership that has now produced three victories from just four rides. Harry Bentley was the first to notice the connection between them towards the end of the last season when he led the horse for a very confident run at Happy Valley. After the recent victory, Harry Bentley spoke highly of the horse’s development and also the training team’s readiness which made him very happy.
After the race, Harry Bentley said, “Last time at Happy Valley, I really spun him around and it was great to spin him again this season. The horse is really progressing. It’s a pleasure working with David and his team who have turned him into a superb fit, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it all came together. He is very courageous and when you have that mix of talent and character, it is a game changer.”
Carrying just 115lb, Tomodachi Kokoroe held a significant weight advantage in the handicap, but Bentley was quick to acknowledge that preparation and confidence played just as big a part in the outcome. “That kind of weight pull helps, but you still need everything to go right,” he added. “He’s really fit, and when a horse is doing at this level, they’re very difficult to defeat.”
For Harry Bentley, this recent feat is just a continuation of an already excellent journey in Hong Kong. He went on to win the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy in the beginning of 2024 and the Group 3 January Cup towards the end of the season. The Premier Bowl success now gives him a complete set of Group race wins in the region’s competitive racing scene.
The Briton on the bike has done a great job in adjusting to the singular environment and manner of racing in Hong Kong. Harry Bentley, a rider who is often praised for his tactical acumen and faultless riding style, has been on a consistent upward trend in his ranking among the top international jockeys of the local racing scene. The triumph at the Group 2 level is a major factor in consolidating his rise in a brief time and, besides that, it is a significant step in deepening his bond with the Hayes stable – a highly esteemed and well-established entity in the local racing industry.
David Hayes, whose track record is impressive in both Australia and Hong Kong, expressed similar delight with the showing. The meticulous training of Tomodachi Kokoroe by his team has turned the horse into a reliable runner that is now able to meet the challenge of the elite level of competition. The horse, under the guidance of Hayes, has become fast and enduring, qualities which he used to the full extent in the main event on Sunday.
The Premier Bowl is frequently referred to as a main gauge for the next global races at Sha Tin, and therefore the performance of Tomodachi Kokoroe has put him as one of the top candidates for the elite sprinting rank in December. Tom Hayes is likely to aim for the very HIGHLY-HOPED LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, a race where he could face Ka Ying Rising, his stable star, again.
With Bentley likely to retain the ride, the pair could form one of the most exciting partnerships of the season. “It’s great to be riding horses of this calibre,” Harry Bentley noted. “The competition is strong, but that’s what makes the racing here so rewarding.”
The victory in the Premier Bowl Handicap marks a turning point in both Bentley’s and Tomodachi Kokoroe’s racing journeys. For the 32-year-old jockey, it represents his most valuable success in Hong Kong and a sign of continued progress within one of the world’s most competitive racing circuits. It is a reaffirmation of the horse’s position among the top sprinters of the region and a signal that he will be taking on tougher challenges in the future.
With the countdown underway for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, the Premier Bowl outcome has done more than just reshuffle the sprinting ranks. Harry Bentley and Tomodachi Kokoroe, fueled by the momentum, confidence, and a common objective, now make a powerful duo to challenge the best and keep their amazing ascent going.
