As an organisation constantly aspiring to excel, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is always searching for ways in which to innovate and broaden its appeal by creating even more value for the community and our strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment (XIX) is certainly extremely exciting.
XIX is one of the world’s pre-eminent entertainment brands, while the Hong Kong Jockey Club is recognised as a world leader in horse racing with its outstanding horses, trainers and jockeys, incredibly competitive racing and wonderful racecourse entertainment experiences.
In collaboration with XIX, the Club plans to become a globally recognised sports entertainment brand by integrating entertainment, horse racing and equestrian sports in a celebration of the connection between horses and humans.
With the expertise and input of Mr Simon Fuller, the founder of XIX and one of the most successful entertainment figures in the world, the Club has a vision to create a holistically integrated entertainment experience and expand its fan base, particularly with the younger generation, with the aim of becoming the premier destination for global racing and equestrian sports.
The Club’s purpose is to continuously work for the betterment of our community and Hong Kong’s elite racing has allowed us to do this. Last season alone, the Club contributed a record HK$40.1 billion in tax and approved charity donations.
In terms of tourism and popularity, we have already welcomed more than 143,000 overseas tourists this season to our two racecourses – Sha Tin and Happy Valley – with a large number of Mainland attendees visiting through our collaboration with the China Tourism Group.
This trend is extremely heartening and validates our commitment even further in supporting Hong Kong as a destination of choice through our world-class racing. In collaboration with XIX, we hope to further expand our appeal.
As part of the partnership with XIX, one of the first projects with Simon and his team will see XIX’s global pop group, Now United, perform in Hong Kong while also offering emerging Hong Kong musical talent the chance to shine on the world stage with Now United, who have 40 million social media followers.
From conversations with Simon, I know how excited and passionate he is about bringing inspiring and uplifting entertainment to Hong Kong – and to our sport – and I look forward to watching XIX’s talent search unfold in Hong Kong for the next member of the Group.
I am also excited to watch Now United’s live performance at our racecourses and especially during the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December. Beyond that, I am optimistic and enthused about the strategic partnership with XIX and what it means for Hong Kong, the broader community and our sport.
At Happy Valley tonight, we continue our Happy French Wednesday theme in the Beer Garden – which is already established as a global attraction – with a touch of Paris and tailored French food and beverages.
Marking the Club’s ongoing celebration of the French May Arts Festival and the French GourMay Food and Wine Festival, Happy French Wednesday is a celebration of world-class racing, excellent entertainment and an authentic Parisian experience in the heart of Hong Kong.
On the track, the feature race at Happy Valley is the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap, which is carded as Race 4 and will be run over 1650m at 8.10pm for prizemoney of HK$3.12 million.
The pace should be good to slow with last-start winner TELECOM FIGHTERS (Angus Chung) taking up the lead. CALIFORNIATOTALITY (Alexis Badel) and SOLEIL FIGHTER (Zac Purton) are also expected to also press forward.
HELENE FEELING (Harry Bentley) and NIMBLE NIMBUS (Andrea Atzeni) are the class runners of the race equally rated 100, although they will both need to carry 135lb, which may prove challenging, especially with the remainder of the field assigned 125lb or less, including WOODFIRE BRO (Keith Yeung), who has 115lb.
SOLEIL FIGHTER finished a creditable third in this grade last start and is racing well. He is a three-time course and distance winner and well placed here. I make him a win and place chance.
C P BRAVE (Jerry Chau) has been competitive in strong races this season and caught the eye when third at Happy Valley behind MOMENTS IN TIME over this distance on 26 February. With only 118lb, he is also a win and place chance.
Four-year-old CALIFORNIATOTALITY has already won four races this season and was the first horse to run in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and then subsequently win a race. He continues to race well and I make him a place chance along with HELENE FEELING.
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