Author Archives: KH Lau

If ever we needed a reminder of what Hong Kong horseracing has missed the most over the past 18 months, it came last Sunday (7 November) at the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse meeting at Sha Tin with the presence of more than 15,000 excited attendees. The Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse fixture is one of…

When future historians review the events of 2020/21, and specifically how they relate to the Club’s agile handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, they might marvel at the resilience, vision and expertise displayed. A similar thought crossed my mind on Thursday when the Club marked its 136th anniversary. It is incredible to reflect that, from such humble…

Caution has become a recurring theme over the past 20 months and, with the pandemic causing so much upheaval and change, prudence remains the key as diligent planning continues for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday in December.  Our position is clear. As excited as we are by an outstanding entry of 135 horses, including…

There is something about early-autumn Group competition which sets pulses racing. At Sha Tin last Sunday, two G2 contests arrived with a strong sense of anticipation as minds and dreams drifted forward to 12 December and the LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday showpiece. Tony Millard and Francis Lui left Sha Tin at the weekend with…

After the unfortunate cancellation of Wednesday night’s Happy Valley race meeting because of Tropical Storm Kompasu and the raising of the Typhoon 8 signal, the sense of excitement over what might unfold at Sha Tin on Sunday (17 October) seems doubly potent.  With benign weather forecast, the staging of the first Group 2 contests of…

Fortunately, the Typhoon 8 which lashed Hong Kong on Saturday has not caused any major damage at Sha Tin Racetrack and, after receiving the relevant reports from different departments, we are ready to go with Sunday’s meeting. Given the amount of rain we have received, I would suggest all customers pay as much attention to…

Eight meetings into the new season and there is clearly much to be excited about, both locally and internationally.  At home, a buoyant wagering trend saw National Day Cup meeting turnover surge by more than 12 percent on the corresponding meeting in 2020 – $1.632 billion, up from $1.454 billion the previous year – and,…

There is an unmistakable sense of excitement ahead of Sunday’s renewal of the G3 Celebration Cup, for reasons as much to do with the past as the future.  A cursory scan of the race’s honour roll leaves nobody in any doubt as to the quality of horse required to triumph against decorated opposition early in…

One of sport’s most enduring adages – success comes to those who work for it – speaks to the value of resilience and persistence and, for as long as I can remember, Hong Kong racing has provided countless examples of it. Whether it involves trainers or jockeys, achievement is rarely a coincidence. Those who toil…

On a personal note, I was humbled and honoured to be elected Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities this week. I would like to pay tribute to the founding Chairman Louis Romanet for his outstanding and sustained contribution to our sport over the past 27 years.  I wish Louis all the best for…