By Alan Carasso
Before an on-track crowd of 42,000 who were showered with confetti and streamers and who received stuffed animals tossed into the crowd from jockeys using the starting gate as makeshift transportation (video), the 2014/2015 Hong Kong racing season concluded with record turnover of HK$107.9 billion (US$13.92 billion), up by 5.8% over last season. It is the third consecutive year that a new mark has been established and is the second time the HK$100 billion threshold has been eclipsed.
“The record turnover this year is the result of a lot of hard work,” commented Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Since the 2005/2006 season, turnover has increased 79.7%, which is testament to the successful strategies the Club has undertaken in that time to revitalise Hong Kong horseracing. The season's record turnover has in turn provided a record tax contribution from racing of HK$12.3 billion (US$1.59 billion), which means that horseracing has again been able to make a significant positive contribution to the Hong Kong community.”
Over 2.07 million fans passed through the turnstiles at Sha Tin Racecourse and Happy Valley Racecourse for the year's 83 meetings, the highest number in 12 years.
“It is rewarding to see us exceed the two million total attendance figure for the third consecutive season,” Engelbrecht-Bresges explained. “This is a result of the right strategy, the right investment in facilities and technology; I think it has to do with people–we have a fantastic team who are able to understand what our customers want and provide those services.”
John Moore won his seventh training championship with a final tally of 70 winners and record earnings of nearly HK$140 million (US$18.1 million). In addition to campaigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), Moore also saddled Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) to major successes on the international stage.
The bulk of the Moore winners were ridden by champion jockey Joao Moreira, who won a historic 145 races and outdistanced 2013/2014 winner Zac Purton by 50 winners.
“The season has gone fantastically,” the 'Magic Man' offered. “It couldn't have gone any better. But I'm already looking forward to next season and I know I can make improvements.”
The 2015/2016 racing season begins Sept. 6 at Sha Tin.
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