Each year, we have hundreds of local racehorses retired from flat racing, but many of them are able to start a new chapter of their lives after their local racing careers are over. For some, they would have the chance moving to riding schools in Hong Kong or mainland China for leisure riding. In the past, the Club has also selected some of them to join the mounted police forces in the mainland city of Dalian, and the horses were very popular among citizens there.
A significant number of retirees also have the opportunity to stay in Hong Kong and receive retraining to become equestrian horses. I know that in the Club’s Beas River Riding School and the Tuen Mun Public Riding School there are dozens of horses who have previously contested on our home turf but have now joined the equestrian ranks. These horses have played their part in promoting equestrian sport in our city, with some of them producing nice performances in jumping, and even in dressage and cross-country events as well.
I know that this weekend at Beas River Country Club and Penfold Park, a few of our veteran riding instructors from the Beas River and Tuen Mun riding schools, and members of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Team, will be partnering some retired racehorses in the CIC* Eventing competition - a qualifier for the Asian Games equestrian events in Guangzhou this November. Should any of these combinations qualify, it will create history as they will become the very first retired racehorses to attain this achievement at the regional level. Earlier this week, I paid a visit to Beas River and they were working diligently on their final preparations ahead of the meet. I wish them the very best of luck and hope they achieve some great results this weekend.
While some of our retired racehorses have taken new development paths in their post-racing life, the Club’s membership services have also advanced with time in recent years. Few years ago we observed the need for extending our membership services, even when our Club Members are away from Hong Kong. That’s why we established the Hong Kong Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse in 2008 to provide first class hospitality and catering services for some of our Club members who visit the capital frequently for business purposes, and also for other members taking leisure trips to Beijing.
This Clubhouse at the Wangfujing area have taken our membership services to new heights, and I’m glad that over the past two years many Club members who have visited the Clubhouse have been unreserved in their praise of the Beijing Clubhouse’s elegant setting, and the great hospitality services provided by our staff team. I very much agree with their view that the food provided in the various restaurants of the Clubhouse is extremely good, too.
Today’s a very special date as it marks the second anniversary of the Beijing Clubhouse. In celebrating this occasion and sharing our joy with all our patrons and members in both Hong Kong and Beijing, we will be hosting the Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup in our Sha Tin race meeting. I hope our Club Members will continue to support our Beijing Clubhouse and find it a pleasant place to go whenever they proceed to Beijing for business or leisure.
Among the field in this trophy race, I will be interested to see how Almond Lee-trained Leading City performs. This three-year-old has shown promising talent as he has already won twice at the distance of 1200m this season. He will be partnered by Douglas Whyte today and I believe he will be the horse to beat in this race. Another top-weight runner Happy Reunion is also in good form, producing some consistent performances at shorter distances this term. I think he will be a serious challenger for Leading City.
The Victoria Racing Club Trophy is a very interesting and open event. Although Ultra Fantasy’s Japan trip did not materialise last month, he’s ultra consistent this season and I think he deserves a win in this 1000m event. However, he will have to first resist the challenges from John Size’s Shinning Victory, who’s now in sizzling form; John Moore’s prolific sprinter Craig’s Dragon; and also the fast filly Sweet Sanette.
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