HKJC CEO Blog

The opening months of 2022 have challenged us as never before with the fifth wave of COVID-19 causing increasing concerns, as the Club continues to take all measures in alignment with Government protocols to protect horseracing and the community.  We are operating in unprecedented times and I am grateful to the sacrifices made by all…

Few Hong Kong race meetings pass without a significant milestone. This season alone, Danny Shum (700 wins), Paul O’Sullivan (500), Karis Teetan (500) and David Hayes (500) have all reached important career markers.  On Sunday at Happy Valley, John Size’s treble saw him quietly overtake Tony Cruz to become the leading active trainer in Hong…

Things rarely happen slowly in Hong Kong horse racing and, in the blink of an eye, we are almost at the halfway point of the season. On Sunday, at Happy Valley, we stage the 43rd of our 88 meetings of 2021/22 and, glancing at the trainers’ and jockeys’ championships, there is a familiar look to…

Chinese New Year Race Day occupies a special place in the Hong Kong racing calendar and, even allowing for the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Thursday’s meeting will again be an auspicious occasion.  While we are again unfortunately in the position of not being able to host our loyal customers, members and owners at Sha Tin,…

Nearing the halfway stage of another fascinating season, the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile – the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – at Sha Tin on Sunday (30 January) shapes as one of the most intriguing races of 2021/22.  We have been blessed, especially in recent seasons, with quality entries across the…

Golden Sixty’s advance to status as the world’s joint-best miler in the 2021 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and the presence of eight of Hong Kong’s top races in the World’s Top 100 Group 1 races last year are achievements to be proud of.  With a pool of only 1,300 horses to draw on –…

These are momentous times in Hong Kong racing with history of the highest magnitude on the cusp on Sunday at Sha Tin where Golden Sixty has the opportunity to stand on equal footing with Silent Witness for the most consecutive wins in Hong Kong.  Regardless of what unfolds in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) tomorrow,…

Horse racing history and Golden Sixty have been seemingly inseparable over the past two years as Hong Kong’s equine hero has captured the imagination of the city with his relentless and all-conquering deeds.  This Sunday, at Sha Tin, Francis Lui’s champion chases Hong Kong’s most elusive racing milestone when he bids to emulate the immortal…

Even by the standards of the past two years, last Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting was a surreal experience.    Hong Kong’s iconic race track is synonymous with Happy Wednesday, enthusiastic crowds and world-class competition. In full cry, the city circuit is vibrant and full of energy. Yet last Wednesday, with attendance limited to essential participants and…

The recent escalation in concerns over the Omicron variant has presented a series of new challenges and, for the safety and protection of all, the Club has taken the significant step to hold tonight’s Happy Valley meeting under a closed-door mode in which only those staff members, club officials, licensed personnel and those persons whose…