Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1998, I have been constantly amazed and impressed by this incredible city’s “can-do” spirit and its capacity to adapt and evolve.
Across virtually every aspect of society, Hong Kong has remained faithful to its rich traditions while also embracing change to become a truly international hub as Asia’s world city.
Sports, especially horse racing and football, are among my passions and I have had the privilege of watching the joy both have brought to our community as entertainment mediums while also delivering tremendous lasting benefits to Hong Kong’s community through the Club’s unique integrated business model.
In the two decades since the legalisation of football betting in 2003, around HK$1754 billion in football betting has been diverted away from illegal wagering operators into the legal channel operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, generating about HK$130 billion in betting duty.
The dangers posed by illegal wagering operators cannot be underestimated and I am delighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council this week passed the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, with 77 members voting in support of introducing legalised basketball betting.
This landmark moment is undoubtedly as important as the legalisation of football betting 22 years ago and will ultimately enhance Club contributions to Hong Kong’s society.
In 2024/25, the Club contributed HK$39.1 billion to the community, comprising a record HK$28.8 billion in betting duty and profits tax, HK$1.3 billion in Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9 billion in approved charity donations – the second highest in the Club’s history.
I would like to thank everyone involved in the process leading to the introduction of the legalised basketball betting for their hard work and professionalism.
Our World Pool operation continues to flourish and it showcases 12 world-class races today from Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia and Leopardstown Racecourse, Ireland.
With the first of three races from Flemington scheduled as S1-1 at 1.05pm, the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes is the feature and is carded as S1-3 and will be run over 1600m at 2.20pm.
With only a small field of six runners, the pace is likely to be moderate with MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) likely to lead from TOM KITTEN (Ben Melham), VIA SISTINA (James McDonald) and ANTINO (Blake Shinn).
VIA SISTINA has won eight of her past 10 starts with her most recent Group 1 defeat in this race last year on heavy ground behind MR BRIGHTSIDE. With a firm track today, she is a win and place chance.
AELIANA (Damian Lane), MR BRIGHTSIDE, TOM KITTEN and ANTINO are all place chances.
The first of nine races from Leopardstown is scheduled as S2-1 at 9.15pm with the G1 Matron Stakes the first of the features. It is carded as S2-5 and will be run over 1600m at 11.25pm.
The track is currently rated soft with the possibility of more rain.
FALLEN ANGEL (James Doyle) finished second in this race last year behind PORTA FORTUNA and recently won the G1 Prix Rothschild (1600m) at Deauville, narrowly defeating JANUARY (Christophe Soumillon) to claim a third Group 1.
FALLEN ANGEL and JANUARY are both win and place chances ahead of CERCENE (Gary Carroll), who was a surprise winner of G1 Coronation Stakes (1600m) before finishing second on heavy ground to WHIRL in the G1 Nassau Stakes (2000m) and cannot be underestimated.
VERA’S SECRET (Seamie Heffernan), EXACTLY (Dylan Browne McMonagle) and CATHEDRA (David Egan) are place chances.
The G1 Irish Champion Stakes is carded as S2-7 and will be run over 2000m at 12.30am on Sunday (14 September) and is one of the highlights of the Irish racing season.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race 12 times and is represented by the favourite DELACROIX (Christophe Soumillon) and MOUNT KILIMANJARO (Ronan Whelan), who is likely to set a solid pace.
DELACROIX has had an excellent season apart from finishing ninth in the Epsom Derby (2405m) when ninth as favourite. He is a highly promising three-year-old who handles all types of ground is a win and place chance.
ANMAAT (Chris Hayes) appreciates rain-affected tracks and will be hardest to beat, while Japan’s SHIN EMPEROR (Ryusei Sakai) returns after finishing third in this race last year and is a place chance.
ZAHRANN (Ben Coen) and WHITE BIRCH (Dylan Brown McMonagle) are also place chances.
Comment
