HKJC CEO Blog

The old saying goes that absence makes the heart grow fonder and that is certainly true when it comes to a night at Happy Valley. This week marked the first fixture for two months at our city track and, although that isn’t an especially long break, it was clear right through the night that a…

Forward planning is at the heart of everything we do in Hong Kong racing and, with that in mind, it is great to hear the Jockey Club Licensing Committee have announced that we will have a new trainer for the start of the 2020/2021 season. With more than 3,000 winners to his credit – including…

Week one of a new season has been significant on many levels but it appears that Hong Kong’s passion for horse racing remains as strong as ever. For me, that was the message that rang out loud and clear from our Season Opening at Sha Tin last Sunday. Given the current political climate and a…

There is nothing quite like the sense of optimism that the start of a new racing season brings. The summer break is not so long as it used to be in Hong Kong, but the seven weeks since a record-breaking 2018/2019 season closed have given everyone involved in our sport the chance to take a…

The end of any Hong Kong racing season always sparks a wide range of emotions and this year is no exception. Of course, it is always good for those who have been working hard to look forward to a summer break, but nights like Wednesday at Happy Valley provide a perfect reminder of what a…

And so we come one step closer to the end of another racing season in Hong Kong with a very special closing night at Happy Valley. Whether you are dancing to the music in the Beer Garden with friends or dining in one of the many grandstand restaurants, the End of Season Fiesta meeting provides…

This has been a notable week for a couple of our newer riders, with Aldo Domeyer riding five winners over two meetings and Alfred Chan marking his first night at Happy Valley with a winner on Wednesday. However, the spotlight this weekend turns firmly in the direction of two notable issues which have so much…

The clock is ticking with just four meetings left this season but John Moore is still chasing John Size hard as the battle for the trainers’ championship continues. In truth, John Moore needs to saddle four more winners than his great rival over the four remaining meetings as John Size will retain his title on…

The first day of July is always very significant in the Hong Kong racing calendar. This year’s Reunification Raceday marks the 22nd anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and, as ever, we will mark it with a holiday meeting which takes place in the long-established spirit of “Ma Zhao Pao” or “Racing Will…

The end of a busy week of international racing always throws up some interesting talking points and recent events in England and Japan have given us plenty to chew on. Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen featured most of Japan’s best middle distance horses but it was won in runaway style by Lys Gracieux. This high-class filly performed…