Hewitson to relinquish Hong Kong jockeys’ licence

South African jockey Lyle Hewitson will leave Hong Kong racing next month after the Hong Kong Jockey Club approved his request to surrender his riding licence from December 24 for personal reasons.

The 29-year-old, a three-time South African champion jockey, first moved to Hong Kong in 2019 before returning in November 2021 after riding successfully in South Africa and Japan.

Hewitson recorded a career-best 50 winners in Hong Kong during the 2022/23 season and has since accumulated 177 victories, including his first Hong Kong Group race success aboard Speed Dragon in the Group 3 January Cup at Happy Valley in January.

He also won the Grade 1 Champion Stakes aboard Erik Dubois at Greyville in July, having returned to riding last season after suffering fractured wrist and ankle injuries in a fall at Happy Valley in June 2025.

Hewitson recorded 27 winners from 478 rides last season but has managed just one victory from 89 rides in the current campaign through Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting.