Entering his third training season in Hong Kong, Australian trainer Mark Newnham is enjoying his most successful spell yet. He closed out his debut campaign with 31 wins, before adding another 44 in 2024/25. As of the end of December in the 2025/26 season, Newnham sits in the second spot of the trainers’ premiership with 26 wins. At the Sha Tin meeting on 20 December, he celebrated his 100th Hong Kong victory when rising four-year-old star Invincible Ibis stormed home.

Significantly, Newnham leads all trainers in wins by horses stabled at Conghua prior to their last start. By 30 December, 17 of his 26 victories this season had come from Conghua-trained runners. New Forest was his latest Conghua-trainer victor, making all to win a dirt 1650m event on 27 December.

This underscores the importance of Conghua Racecourse to his stable’s performance, with Newnham quick to maximise the world-class facilities available there.

“There are different training options in Conghua, allowing you to prepare horses in varied ways and environments. The track and facilities are much quieter, which suits horses that don’t have the temperament to stay at Sha Tin full-time,” Newnham explained.

“Options like the uphill gallop, water walker and paddock give horses more chances to relax. If they’re more relaxed in training, it’s easier to get better performances on race day.”

Many of Newnham’s horses shuttle between Conghua and Hong Kong, returning two or three days before racing and heading back immediately afterwards.

“Horses that spend most of their time at Conghua—around 90%—have given us excellent results. Certain horses are simply better suited there. Spicy Gold is a perfect example. He struggled in his early Sha Tin starts, but once we moved him to Conghua, he immediately improved, winning four races. He’s more comfortable in that environment, holds his condition better, and consistently produces his best.”

Newnham typically maintains a team of 25 to 30 horses at Conghua.

“That number works well for both stables. I don’t change things too much—some horses never leave Sha Tin, while others live almost exclusively in Conghua. Once I assess each individual, I stick with what suits them best.”

Among his current string, Newnham mentioned Mid Winter Wind as the horse to have benefited most from Conghua this season.

“He likes to stay fresh and needs variety in his work. At Conghua he can use the uphill gallop and water walker, which keeps his mind active. He gets bored easily with repetition, but the variety there has sharpened him. His form has improved this season and he’s now close to winning at Class 2 level.”

Reflecting on the broader impact of Conghua, Newnham noted that horses have become more accustomed to travelling, maintaining body weight and relaxing better. He also praised Conghua as a racing venue.

“Conghua Racecourse is a valuable asset for the Club. The track is well designed, giving horses fair opportunities from all barriers. The surface is consistently maintained in excellent condition. It benefits owners, trainers and jockeys alike, and in the years ahead it will play an increasingly important role in Hong Kong racing.”