HKJC CEO Blog

International competition has long been the ultimate test of athletic ability, for both humans and horses, and at Flemington on Saturday (7 October), ROMANTIC WARRIOR faces significant challenges in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). As accomplished as ROMANTIC WARRIOR is in Hong Kong, it is an entirely different assignment travelling abroad to Australia, acclimatising to…

Great international horse races have a habit of producing the most compelling storylines – and champions – and on Sunday in Paris the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, ACE IMPACT delivered a performance for the ages. Still only a three-year-old and contesting just his sixth start in a career which began only in January,…

The safeguarding of equine welfare and shifts in societal expectations are two of horseracing’s most important challenges and both issues will be thoroughly examined at the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities in Paris on Monday (2 October).   As racing purists celebrate the staging of Europe’s greatest race, the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and…

Regardless of pursuit, success on the international stage is the pinnacle and the performance this week of Hong Kong’s equestrian team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou has been exceptional with tremendous results in dressage events. Jacqueline Siu’s effort to win a silver medal for Hong Kong, China in individual dressage – two days after…

It has been a privilege this week to attend the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou to support our elite athletes across a variety of sports and to watch the equestrian team create history by claiming a bronze medal in the team dressage.  The effort of Jacqueline Siu, Annie Ho and Samantha Chan to secure the…

The 2023/24 Hong Kong season is only four meetings and 36 races old, but there are already exciting trends emerging – and confirmation of the quality of the city’s world-class racing.    Hugh Bowman has started the season in supreme form with nine wins, including two trebles across the last two meetings, to lead the Hong…

Equine welfare and integrity are two of horseracing’s most important issues and, accordingly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club commits significant resources to both. As such, I have been particularly delighted to speak with a gathering of highly respected professionals, from racing analysts, veterinarians, racing administrators, legal experts and other industry stakeholders in Hong Kong this…

Resilience in the face adversity is an abiding theme in Hong Kong and, over recent weeks, Vincent Ho has embodied the city’s ‘can-do spirit’ sentiment with his determination and discipline.  Vincent’s ambitions of enjoying successful Hong Kong off-season stints in Japan and Great Britain, where he was due to compete in the Shergar Cup, were…

It is difficult to recall a more challenging opening to a Hong Kong racing season than that which faced the Club last Sunday after two extreme weather events and I am extremely proud of the way Hong Kong’s racing community combined to successfully stage the season-opening meetings.  The performance of Sha Tin’s grass track was…

And so, after overcoming significant challenges created by extreme weather, Hong Kong’s horseracing season opens at Sha Tin today with the return of champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse as the highlight to an always auspicious occasion. John Size begins the quest for a 13th trainers’ championship and Zac Purton sets off in search of a seventh…