HKJC CEO Blog

World-class meetings on two continents today form an exciting Simulcast programme with action coming from Randwick Racecourse in Sydney with Chipping Norton Stakes Day and then King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race.  While the Randwick meeting is not yet part of World Pool, international racing purists will…

Winning away from home is widely accepted to be the most difficult of challenges, regardless of sport. Similarly in horseracing, succeeding on the road is the ultimate test of horse, trainer and jockey.  Not all horses are suited to competing abroad but last weekend, Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer Russian Emperor overcame the tyranny of travel,…

The 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Melbourne over the past week was a huge success because it not only highlighted the challenges and opportunities currently facing racing, but it also opened our eyes to the future.  Across 11 business programme sessions and several bureau meetings, the ARC featured 50 passionate and inspiring speakers from…

The 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Melbourne is not only very significant, it is also a priceless opportunity for the international horseracing racing community to collaborate, learn and advance. As it did with so many other things in our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted ARC scheduling and prevented us from meeting in Melbourne last…

And so, after what has been an incredible start to the 2022/23 season, we reach the official halfway point with the 44th meeting of the campaign – with the promise of more highlights to come over the next five months.  By any measure, this has been a fantastic season with a formidable list of outstanding…

Given the Group 1 results over the past two months, including Lucky Sweynesse’s outstanding win in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin last Sunday (5 February), it is clear Hong Kong horse racing has an outstanding generation of young talent on its hands.  The efforts of Romantic Warrior, California Spangle and Lucky Sweynesse…

In an environment where experience and expertise are invaluable, the 2022/23 Hong Kong trainers and jockeys’ championships reflect the value of both qualities.  The top seven in this season’s trainers’ championship features a string of seasoned and highly successful handlers with 11-time champion John Size (33 wins) leading Frankie Lor (31), Tony Cruz (28), Francis…

As we reflect on the highlights so far of an already spectacular season, it is clear we are experiencing a fantastic phase in Hong Kong racing.  The success in December of LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) resonated globally with the performances of champion horses, jockeys and trainers and was particularly satisfying as part of…

These are exhilarating times for Hong Kong racing. Only five days after the incredible success of the Chinese New Year meeting on Tuesday (24 January), we are about to be treated to what shapes as a race of the ages with the G1 Stewards’ Cup this Sunday.  The recent release of the 2022 LONGINES World’s…

And so, after farewelling the Year of the Tiger with considerable momentum and renewed optimism, we welcome the Year of the Rabbit.  Reflecting on the past 12 months, we have much to be proud of in Hong Kong where horse racing has again provided tremendous entertainment and engagement – both locally and abroad – for…