Champion Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon is out of Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races due to not being able to leave quarantine by government officials due to having to undergo further testing for COVID-19.
The Belgian, tested positive to COVID-19 before the Breeders’ Cup in early November and is yet to be cleared in time to make the trip to Hong Kong for Sunday’s International meeting.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been informed by Christophe Soumillon that he has been requested by the Department of Health to undergo further Covid-19 tests,” the Jockey Club said in a statement.
“It is unknown at this stage when the testing will be completed and when Soumillon will be released from quarantine.
“Soumillon was licensed by the club on the basis that he would undergo a mandatory 14 days quarantine under the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation.
“Soumillon arrived in Hong Kong on November 26 and commenced his 14 days quarantine. Despite having cleared his initial Covid-19 test on his arrival, he has yet to receive an unconditional release from quarantine in order to ride on this coming Sunday.
Christophe Soumillon was booked for Group One rides on Admire Mars in the Hong Kong Mile, Ho Ho Khan in the Hong Kong Vase, Normcore in the Hong Kong Cup and Computer Patch in the Hong Kong Sprint.
