HKJC CEO Blog

The world has changed into a very different place since Douglas Whyte recorded his first winner as a trainer on the opening day of the 2019/20 season at Sha Tin last September. Douglas was in the headlines again with a Happy Valley double on Wednesday but, ten months on from his first win, Hong Kong’s…

Any good drama needs to end on a high and that was certainly the case at Sha Tin last weekend when one championship story took a crucial turn and another remained as hard to predict as ever. But before we move on to this year’s title races, it’s well worth reflecting on the positive effect…

Racing continues to produce strong stories as the end of the Hong Kong season approaches and this weekend will be busy at home and abroad, with an intriguing Sha Tin card sandwiched between simulcast broadcasts featuring four Classics from England and France. Time is running out as our two most famous riders pursue a fourth…

It has taken something special to dislodge Zac Purton and Joao Moreira from the main headlines this week but some of our top trainers have managed to do just that. Joao outscored Zac by 2-1 at Sha Tin last weekend to keep his title hopes alive but the main focus of Saturday’s card was a…

Where do you begin when reflecting on the events that played out at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The early signs pointed to a big night for Joao Moreira and things seemed to be going to script when he won race four aboard Daily Beauty. But Zac Purton fired back swiftly, getting the better of Joao…

Midday on Monday represented an important point in the 2019-20 racing season as the vast majority of our Off-Course Betting Branches opened for the first time in more than three months. The wagering landscape has changed enormously in recent years – with around 80% of turnover conducted online even before coronavirus became part of our…

The last laps of the 2019/20 season are approaching with just eight meetings left and there is so much to play for on various fronts. An ongoing battle for the jockeys’ title resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday – with Zac Purton still three ahead of Joao Moreira – but Karis Teetan has been the…

There is no question that 2020 will go down as one of the most challenging in history for our sport, with most major racing nations forced to shut down for lengthy periods to combat the threat of coronavirus. The consequences of lockdown are becoming clear with reduced purses in many places, but Hong Kong’s resilience…

Four and a half months have passed since the Club first imposed attendance restrictions to combat the threat of coronavirus. Our city and sport have faced many challenges since but, as Government prepares to announce the next wave of relaxation measures, it is appropriate to set out a plan that aligns with official policy and…

Surprises come in many forms in the racing world and the last week has thrown up more than its fair share. The race for the jockeys’ title has slowed for the moment – with Zac Purton and Joao Moreira managing just three winners from their last 57 rides – and that statistic is closely linked…