Danny Shum delivered a masterclass at Happy Valley on Wednesday, January 8, claiming four wins, including the prestigious G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) with Helene Feeling. The stellar performance catapulted Shum to the top of the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship, where he leads with 27 wins, ahead of Pierre Ng (26), Mark Newnham (24), and David Hayes (23).

"It's amazing—I'm very happy," Shum said. "All four horses ran great races, and the jockeys did a brilliant job."

Helene Feeling (117lb), expertly piloted by Harry Bentley, clinched the HK$4.2 million feature, showcasing his affinity for Happy Valley's tight turns. After settling mid-pack in a moderately-paced race, Bentley steered Helene Feeling into the clear on the home turn. The Sioux Nation gelding surged late to defeat last year’s January Cup winner Happy Together (135lb) by half a length, with La City Blanche (128lb) finishing strongly in third. The winning time was 1:49.19.

Bentley, elated with the Group 3 win, said: "They’re not easy to come by. Helene Feeling has natural class and has proven himself around this track. The wide draw made it tricky, but he knuckled down beautifully in the straight."

Shum's dominance extended to the undercard:

Judy’s Great stormed to a surprise win at 64/1 under Dylan Mo in the Class 4 Great George Handicap (1200m).

Happy Soul, with Vincent Ho aboard, secured the second section of the same race.

Eternal Fortune, guided by Hugh Bowman, triumphed in the Class 3 Causeway Handicap (1200m).

Bowman and Vincent Ho both notched doubles on the night. Bowman also partnered Caspar Fownes’ Mighty Commander for a win, while Ho celebrated aboard Francis Lui’s Speed Dragon in the Class 3 Cleveland Handicap (1800m).

Meanwhile, Zac Purton moved closer to Douglas Whyte’s all-time record of 1,813 Hong Kong wins, as he secured victory aboard Chris So’s Firefoot in the Class 4 Kingston Handicap (1650m). With 66 wins this season, Purton remains a dominant force.

The evening also featured Pegasus General’s long-awaited return to the winner's circle. Under Derek Leung, the Brazilian Group 1 winner claimed the Class 5 Paterson Handicap (1650m) for new trainer Cody Mo. Additionally, David Eustace-trained Fortune Whiskey, a former New Zealand standout, broke through in Hong Kong with Matthew Poon in the irons.

Hong Kong racing continues this Sunday, January 12, at Sha Tin, promising more top-tier action.