If all goes according to plan at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, Zac Purton will make history as the first jockey to record 2,000 wins in Hong Kong, adding yet another accolade to a career full of them.
Even so, the milestone, when it comes, will be a far cry from the uncertain start the Australian made to life in the city as a fresh-faced 24-year-old almost two decades ago.
But from that first victory aboard the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained horse Elfhelm at Happy Valley on December 19, 2007, to his 1,999th triumph on Armor Golden Eagle on the same city track on Wednesday, Purton has been far from alone in his endeavours.
Nicole Purton may not ride the horses, but she has been with her husband every step of the way. The couple sat down with the South China Morning Post to discuss chicken wire, building a brand and why Hong Kong is the most intense racing environment in the world.
Team Purton
