From the commencement of 2025/26 racing season, overseas gear-history records for Privately Purchased Horses (PP), which are having their first start in Hong Kong, will be incorporated into the Official Racing Publications.  This initiative provides greater transparency and ensures the continuity of gear records from overseas jurisdictions during the PPs’ racing career in Hong Kong.

For example, if a PP previously wore Blinkers (B) overseas but it was decided the horse will race without Blinkers for its first local start, the Official Racing Publications will indicate “B-”.  Should the same PP subsequently decide to carry B again in future starts, the Official Racing Publications will indicate “B2”.  This new protocol applies to Blinkers (B, BO), Visors (V, VO), Pacifiers (P), Pacifiers with Cowls (PC, PS), Sheepskin Cheek Pieces (CP, CO), Sheepskin Browband (SB), Shadow Roll (SR), Tongue Tie (TT), Hood (H), and Ear Plugs (E).

To ensure the accuracy of the information, the Stewards will continue to liaise with overseas racing authorities to obtain gear-history records for PPs from their jurisdictions of origin.  While every effort is made to verify and reconcile these records, the information is provided by the originating authorities, whose gear definitions and recording practices may differ from those in Hong Kong.