Danny Rolston, one of the world’s most respected bloodstock judges, will begin a new chapter in his career next month when he joins burgeoning thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong Investments as their Head of Racing.
Formerly the Director of Sales at New Zealand Bloodstock, Rolston has spent the last four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club as their Executive Manager International Sale/Owner Advisory Services, where he has overseen five editions of the annual Hong Kong International Sale, culminating in last week’s successful 2026 sale.
“I have been in Hong Kong for four years and the time has gone really quick,” Rolston said.
“I arrived during COVID and the first sale I presided over was in 2022. I have seen a few different versions of the sale between COVID impacted, the strength in the economy, and the dip in the economy last year.
“It has been a real ride, this is the fifth sale I have overseen and we had a really good renewal on Friday last week. We had a pretty good feeling that the sale was going to be strong and to be able to do that when I am signing off, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better transition.”
Rolston is grateful for his time with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and said his professional growth has been immense, and he has appreciated his family’s support while he has continued his career offshore.
“When the opportunity came to move to Hong Kong it wasn’t just professional, it was personal as well for my whole family,” Rolston said. “I have been wickedly proud of how my wife, Sharon, and kids have dealt with it.
“I can’t explain how professionally I have grown in my time working there and the opportunity to understand better the business of racing and its global impact. You really get a good opportunity to see that from a high level in Hong Kong, and even how important New Zealand is in the big scheme of things.”
With his time in Hong Kong coming to an end, Rolston is turning the page to a new chapter as he gets set to join Yulong Investments.
“Another chapter begins, I am very excited,” Rolston said.
Rolston has had a long-standing relationship with Yulong principal Zhang Yuesheng, and he said when he was looking at returning to Australasia, Yulong was a natural fit.
“I have had a pretty strong relationship with Mr Zhang and his family for quite a number of years,” Rolston said. “When I started looking at moving closer to home, it was a pretty easy conversation to have, and it worked pretty quickly.”
While Rolston has spent the last two decades primarily working in the bloodstock side of the industry, racing is nothing new for the former jockey, and he is looking forward to the challenge his new role will offer.
“The new role is racing specific, but they are so interconnected and I would like to think I will be able to offer some support to the other sides of the Yulong business as well,” Rolston said. “It is a new challenge moving from bloodstock into racing, but it is not something I am unfamiliar with.”
Rolston will be based out of Yulong’s headquarters in Nagambie, but the New Zealander will return home on a frequent basis with Yulong expanding its presence on this side of the Tasman, which has been felt this season through the Group One success of Well Written and Ohope Wins.
“I love that Mr Zhang has not only been buying horses out of New Zealand, but racing them there as well,” Rolston said. “He has had a long-term relationship with New Zealand, and I think it is great he is showing his support for the New Zealand industry.”
Rolston is set to start his new role on August 1 but will return home to spend some quality time with his Waikato-based children before making his move across the Tasman with his wife. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
