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The 2022/23 Hong Kong Horse Racing Season ended in style at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday 16th July. At the 88 th final meeting, the HK$2.065billion (approx.) turnover record was set for both a race meeting as well as the season finale. The HKSAR has seen a 1.3% increase in the amount of money it spends on horse racing since 1997.
The 88 races held during the season saw 835 Hong Kong races, 299 simulcast races from overseas and a total turnover of HK$141.1 Billion (approx. The PS13.8 billion represents a 0.5% rise on the season 2021/22.
The growing popularity of simulcasting races from overseas and the increased appreciation of the global aspect of racing led to a growth of 12.5% in the simulcast turnover, which reached over HK$11.8billion (approx. PS1.2 billion).
The majority of the simulcast revenue comes from Hong Kong customers who grew by 11.3% to HK$10 billion (approx. While the majority of simulcast turnover comes from Hong Kong customers, which registered an 11.3% growth to HK$10.5 billion (approx. PS127 million).
The total turnover for all simulcast races under the World Pool Brand, including both Hong Kong customers and overseas customers, increased from HK$6.2 Billion (approx. The 2021/22 season saw a jump from HK$6.2 billion (approx. The PS714million represents an 18.5% increase.
This season, the HKJC has increased the number of World Pool Races to 24 days, including many of the LONGINES Top 100 group 1 races. They have also expanded the World Pool Partnerships to include racing from Australia and Saudi Arabia for the first time.
Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He said: “In such a difficult economic environment, our total season racing turnover, which was HK$141.1 Billion, is very satisfying. The quality of our products, and the continued support from our customers, are reflected in the strength of the revenue. We will remain vigilant, however, as offshore bookmakers and illegal bookmakers will pose significant challenges following the reopening borders.
“To maintain our racing’s world-class status and ensure it remains competitive, we will invest in racecourse assets. We will also enhance the customer experience. We will also take advantage of the unique opportunity to develop in the GBA, under the principle ‘One Country Two Systems.’ The Club’s actions are for the benefit of society. We are committed to contributing more to the community, with a focus on strategic needs that meet those of Hong Kong’s people.
Zac Putton and John Size Set New Records
John Size became the first Hong Kong trainer to win 12 Hong Kong Trainers’ Championships in the 2022/23 racing season. The Australian master trainer, John Size, has trained 1493 Hong Kong winners and continues to excel in his ability to develop young talent to elite top-level performers.
Zac Purton won his sixth Hong Kong jockeys championship, beating Joao’s 170 wins record.
Vincent Ho, a local jockey, has won the Tony Cruz Award for the fourth time. The award is given to the top local rider who wins the most races in a season.
Hong Kong racing will once again be world-class in 2022/23, despite only having 1,250 horses trained – around 0.7 per cent of the entire horse population.
Golden Sixty is the first horse to win three consecutive Horses of the Year titles in Hong Kong racing history. Lucky Sweynesse, Romantic Warrior and other G1 winners are also firmly rooted in the top seven LONGINES Rankings of the World’s Top Racehorses.
The FWD Champions Day will be held on April 30, 2023. They are expected to deliver outstanding performances in front of international rivals.
Engelbrecht Bresges said “Hong Kong’s world-class racing was not only built upon our state-of the-art racing facilities but also a rich pool of racing talent across all levels, from trainers, to jockeys, to veterinarians, stable assistants, and farriers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a commitment to attract world-class talent from abroad and nurture high-potential local talents. I am thrilled to see that our racing talent and the horses they care for and train have delivered remarkable performances to local and international fans this season. “They are the future of Hong Kong racing.”
The development of racing in Mainland China
Conghua racecourse (CRC), another important highlight for the 2022/23 racing season, has shown its crucial role in supporting Hong Kong racing and the development of equine industries in the Greater Bay Area.
CRC has made full use of its modern facilities to accommodate, train, and prepare horses for their return to Sha Tin Racecourse and Happy Valley Racecourse to race. CRC produced 138 horses that won 172 races in the last season.
Engelbrecht Bresges said “The importance CRC will grow with the significant work that we are undertaking to Sha Tin’s Stable refurbishment in order to meet the needs of future trainers.” CRC will also serve as the centre stage of international-standard racing in the Mainland, starting from the first race meeting in 2026 with the establishment of an iconic grandstand enabling visitors from all fronts to enjoy and experience Hong Kong’s world-class racing.”
Hong Kong Racing will resume for the 2023/24 Season on 10 September.
