HKJC CEO Blog

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…

Hong Kong horse racing has rarely faced adverse weather conditions such as those encountered over the past eight days yet, because of the unstinting dedication of our track, stable and support staff, the Club’s teams have risen to the occasion magnificently. Super Typhoon Saola last week caused the cancellation and rescheduling of vital trials and…

The atmosphere in the days leading up to the start of a new season is always characterised by a powerful sense of anticipation and this week has been no exception ahead of the first meeting of the 2023/24 season at Sha Tin on Sunday (10 September).  The arrival of two new jockeys – Andrea Artzeni…

The Club’s World Pool and simulcast programme has delivered a string of highlights throughout Hong Kong’s summer racing break and this Sunday our customers have the chance to enjoy two of Europe’s most significant contests with the running of the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.  With only…

While I hope our racing fans have been enjoying the summer break, with the 2023/24 racing season commencing soon on 10 September, some of our star jockeys and horses are already gearing up in preparation for another successful term.  After returning recently from a brief summer break, last week I was honoured, in my capacity as…

Matthew Chadwick has been regarded as one of Hong Kong’s most accomplished horsemen for more than a decade and, if not for injury, his career achievements would have been even more imposing.  Matthew has always shown impressive resilience, his career tally of 504 Hong Kong wins would have been far higher. Given Matthew’s injury travails,…

Glorious Goodwood certainly lived up to its reputation this week with a host of world-class performances, particularly that of Paddington in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes with a display which underlined the colt’s undoubted quality.  Paddington’s effort to win on soft ground under Ryan Moore against a small but select field confirmed Aidan O’Brien’s high…