Jerry Chau is proud to represent Hong Kong, China, for a third time overseas when he debuts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aboard Self Improvement, the horse who gave the local ace his biggest success in the 2025 G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) in Seoul, South Korea.

Chau said: “It’s my honour to represent Hong Kong, China around the world. It’s really helpful for me to gain more experience. I will give my all and put my heart into this trip.

“It was my first overseas win, not including my training in Australia. It was amazing, and the crowd was cheering for me. We beat the Japanese horse (Chikappa) – he’s very good. We fought to the end. I am grateful – thank you to trainer Manfred Man and owner Mr Wong.”

The pair will face menacing opposition this weekend for the first time from North America, traditionally where the world’s best dirt horses hail from, including Bob Baffert’s Imagination, as well as Group 1 winner Lovesick Blues, in Saturday night’s (14 February) G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m, dirt) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. 

Though revered for its turf heroes, Hong Kong racing has seen some of its finest moments come on alternate surfaces. Rich Tapestry stunned Goldencents in the 2014 G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (1200m, dirt); Sterling City captured the 2014 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, tapeta), while Super Jockey dominated the 2016 Korea Sprint, and although he narrowly missed, Romantic Warrior came second in the 2025 G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt).

Man’s Self Improvement became the latest to join the winners list in September, and campaigns to the Middle East as the second Hong Kong, China-trained horse to race in Saudi Arabia after Romantic Warrior, and he is again hoping to defy pre-race expectations following success as a 9/1 chance in South Korea over Chikappa, who placed 10th in the 2025 Riyadh Dirt Sprint before his second in last year’s Korea Sprint.

Self Improvement is a six-year-old son of Deep Field. He made all in a trial on 29 January over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course in 1m 09.78s (24.2, 22.6, 22.9). The earner of HK$12 million is owned by Wong Chung Yin, Wong Lai Ngor and Wilson Wong.

“He looks like he is really ready for the race after his last trial. Hopefully, he runs well. He’s improved a lot after winning in South Korea. He’s more mature, but I think he loves to travel – he will enjoy the trip to Saudi Arabia,” Chau said.

The Riyadh Dirt Sprint was inaugurated in 2020. It has been won by New York Central (2020), Copano Kicking (2021), Dancing Prince (2022), Elite Power (2023), Remake (2024) and Straight No Chaser (2025). Self Improvement steps from barrier eight in Saturday night’s dash, which is carded as S2-3 and will be run at 10.40pm (HKT). The race forms part of a seven-race World Pool fixture.