Queensland jockey Jimmy Orman lands first Hong Kong winner after heeding advice from riding legend Douglas Whtye

With some advice from riding legend Douglas Whyte ringing in his ears, champion Queensland jockey Jimmy Orman has landed his first Hong Kong winner.

Queensland jockey Jimmy Orman has struck gold early in his Hong Kong stint, booting home a $26 roughie to score his first winner in the Asian racing mecca.

News Corp revealed earlier this month that Orman, a multiple Brisbane jockeys’ premiership winner, had accepted a short-term deal to boost the Hong Kong riding ranks.

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The unexpected opportunity came about as a result of a fall which saw four Hong Kong jockeys injured including Zac Purton.

Orman seized the moment at Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting, landing his first Hong Kong winner at just his fourth ride.

He scored on $26 chance Charming Babe and partly credited Hong Kong racing legend Douglas Whyte for the breakthrough win.

James Orman is a winner in Hong Kong! 🙌

The Australian teams with Ricky Yiu as Charming Babe overhauls rivals at Happy Valley... @JimmyOrman#HappyWednesday | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/rAHEB3eODy

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025

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Whyte held the record for the most wins in Hong Kong as a jockey, before that record was broken by Purton last month.

Whyte, now a trainer, retired from riding in February 2019 with 1813 wins from 12,269 rides.

“I spoke to Douglas Whyte on Tuesday morning and I’m not sure if he knew he gave me a good tip, but he said to me ‘Happy Valley is a track you need momentum’ and I was able to build that momentum,” Orman told Hong Kong media.

“So that was a really good pointer from Douglas Whyte. I feel like I know how to ride this track now.”

Orman was wide on Charming Babe wide with cover just behind midfield before the former Australian galloper unleashed a powerful turn of foot in the final stages.

Well done, @JimmyOrman! 👊#HappyWednesday | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/lrQmqJGFGf

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025

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Charming Babe was known as Golden Image when once trained in Brisbane by Matthew Hoysted and Steven O’Dea.

“We went forward and I got a bit of cover – I did sit a little wide which wasn’t helpful, but we had cover and I was able to peel off their backs and I was the last one standing,” Orman said.

“He hangs in but he did that in Australia, too. I remember this horse in Australia when Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted had him and he’s always hung in a little bit like that, so I was always expecting it.”

Orman has described his Hong Kong riding stint as a “dream come true”.

He will sacrifice his lead in the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership during the overseas stint, although he still currently leads the premiership race by three wins over apprentice Emily Lang.

Originally published as Queensland jockey Jimmy Orman lands first Hong Kong winner after heeding advice from riding legend Douglas Whtye