We are rapidly approaching the end of our summer break and I hope it has been enjoyable for all of our racing fans. I have spent some time in Europe and was in America this week as the keynote speaker for the 64th annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, hosted by The Jockey Club. Based in New York, The Jockey Club serves as the registration arm of the thoroughbred breed in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, while also operating various industry-related entities.
I had the opportunity to discuss Hong Kong’s journey to world-class racing and success via our extreme attention to customer centricity, including our focus on racing integrity. The story of the Club’s growth over the last decade is remarkable, and it is always a great honour to be invited to discuss the steps we have taken to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a leader in the sport.
The conference was held in Saratoga Springs, New York, a lovely town where racing is truly at the centre. About three hours north of New York City, Saratoga Springs is the heart of American summertime racing and is the site of the first organized horse racing in the U.S, having started in the 1860s. There is a very casual and comfortable vibe throughout the course with many families gathering to have a picnic on the vast lawns behind the historic grandstand, which was built in the 1890s. There have certainly been some additions and improvements over the years, but the feeling of history is palpable. I was very impressed by the charm of the course, which notably is quite different from our two courses in Hong Kong, and is probably quite similar to that in Hong Kong before a horrible fire destroyed the grandstand in 1918. Overall, it is a completely different customer experience to Hong Kong and I met many people who are just as passionate about racing as we are in HK.
This Monday was also the annual Hong Kong Prix Du Jockey Club at Deauville, which coincided with their Ladies’ Day. While I am normally an annual attendee at the meeting, the Conference in America kept me from making it this year. The Club has a great relationship with our industry colleagues in France and it was another top event. It was with great sadness when I saw our former Champion Miler, Gold-Fun, sustain a serious injury in the final stages of the Prix Maurice de Gheest. After such a gallant effort to be second in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, he looked a great chance for this race before the incident. Gold-Fun had a phenomenal career in Hong Kong, with ten wins and nearly HK$48 million in earnings, and his presence in the sprinting and miler divisions will be sorely missed.
Our annual Owners’ Carnival will be held next Saturday 27 August and I look forward to that as we get closer to the start of the season on Saturday 3 September. I wish you all continued enjoyment in the final weeks of summer and will be in touch soon
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