HKJC CEO Blog

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…

The challenges of 2022 continue at a rapid rate and, due to recent emergence of Omicron variant clusters, the Club has acted swiftly to protect its employees and customers. Our guiding principle has always been that none of our activities should pose any risk to our employees and customers. The COVID-19 risk situation has been…

There was no shortage of highlights at Sha Tin’s New Year’s Day meeting on Saturday with the G3-winning performances of Master Eight and Healthy Happy but, for me, the Class 2 Cherry Handicap (1400m) is a race which could emerge as a key reference point for form students as we head towards the highly lucrative…

And so, with the New Year upon us, we celebrate the first meeting of 2022 at Sha Tin. The 33rd meeting of the season has arrived with surprising haste – even by Hong Kong’s famed fast-paced lifestyle. The close of 2021 and the ringing in of 2022 is the perfect juncture to reflect on the…

One of Hong Kong’s great qualities is the ability it provides for people of different backgrounds and expertise to mingle and learn from each other. On Monday, the presence of several champion athletes and coaches at Hong Kong Elite Athletes Raceday was such an example. The atmosphere generated made it one of the best days…

With the memories of Hong Kong’s success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics still gloriously vivid, it is appropriate that we celebrate our amazing sportspeople as well as the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) at the Club’s race meeting at Sha Tin on Monday (27 December). Hong Kong Elite Athletes…

World-class horse trainers come in different shapes and sizes with contrasting styles and personalities. Regardless of background, one of the Club’s over-arching commitments to our owners is to provide a choice of outstanding trainers.   We believe we have systematically assembled an enviable cohort of trainers, either locally-produced or sourced as expatriate handlers. The common goal…

Planning for the future is key among our core values and the Club Licensing committee’s decision to announce Jamie Richards as a new trainer for the start of the 2022/2023 season is an example of our approach. With 50 Group 1 winners and a string of records to his credit, Jamie has quickly emerged as…

International racing is the ultimate stage for jockeys, trainers and horses and, over the past week in Hong Kong, we have been fortunate to witness some of the best in the world at the peak of their powers.  At Happy Valley on Wednesday, we saw five different riders to the fore with contrasting styles in…