James Orman eyes Happy Valley success in bid to end season on a high

June 24, 2025



James Orman with CandleLight Dinner after winning.


Bidding to end the season on a high after a frustrating run of seconds, James Orman has identified Supreme Agility as the pick of his eight-strong book of rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.


Joining the ultra-competitive Hong Kong riding ranks in February on a six-week contract, the Australian jockey made an instant impression with two early winners, helping him earn a licence extension through to the end of the season.


The 27-year-old hopes to continue riding in the city next season, but his fate is yet to be determined after delays to the Licencing Committee’s announcement for the 2025-26 campaign.


While he has managed to boot home eight winners, a streak of recent placings has left Orman frustrated.


“I’ve had a bit of a run of seconds which is annoying. They’re getting their chances, so that’s all you can do,” said Orman, who has notched 15 seconds and 11 thirds.


“I want to get to 10 wins before the end of the season if I can. Hopefully something can bob up for me on Wednesday night.”


Orman hops back aboard Supreme Agility in the Class Four Lancashire Handicap (1,650m) after almost guiding Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s import to a breakthrough Hong Kong success last month, finishing a close second behind To Infinity.


“I rode him in Class Four and he went really well - he got caught wide from a wide gate,” Orman said.


“Then he went up to Class Three chasing the [Private Purchase] bonus. Now he’s back to Class Four and he looks well suited. He’s drawn well [in barrier four], which is important at Happy Valley.”



Supreme Agility at the Sha Tin trials in January.


A Group One winner in Brazil when known as Summerset, Supreme Agility followed his second under Orman with a sixth behind Keefy when making his run out wide from the 800m.


He bumps into a competitive field featuring hat-trick seeker California Moxie and fellow last-start winners Wrote A New Page and Capital Legend.


Orman has picked up the ride from the suspended Ellis Wong Chi-wang on Mega Bonus, who shoots for back-to-back victories in the first section of the Class Four Hereford Handicap (1,200m).


Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s consistent galloper bagged his first triumph of the season when he led all the way to score by two and a quarter lengths.



Mega Bonus cruises to victory under Ellis Wong.


“It’s my first ride on him. He won well last start and he’s in the same class. He’s got top weight now, but he’s a good pick up ride,” Orman said of Mega Bonus, who carries 135lb and jumps from gate six.


Orman and Yiu will also team up with Charming Babe, who drops back to Class Four in the second section of the Hereford Handicap. The Pride Of Dubai gelding was Orman’s first winner in the city on February 26.


Ragnarr, Amazing Victory, Namjong Kingdom, A Americ Te Specso and Triumphant More are Orman’s other rides at the Valley.

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