Fans Flock to Sha Tin, Business Up for HKIR

A total of 78,000 fans, the bulk of whom attended on-track, turned out for Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races program at Sha Tin Racecourse. The total attendance was the highest recorded in Hong Kong since 2000, while the on-track figure of 74,000 represented the highest number at Sha Tin in 17 years. 

“To have 78,000 people attending is a fantastic result and shows that Hong Kong racing has a genuine vibrancy and is relevant to our customers,” said HKJC Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We want to stage the greatest show on turf and that is not just today, it is the whole week, starting with the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship right through to today. We are happy with what we have achieved and now, as we always do, we must look at ways to set the bar even higher.” 

For the third time in four years, Hong Kong-based horses took home three trophies, with Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) striking for Europe in the Vase. 

“We have had four thrilling world-class races,” continued Engelbrecht-Bresges. “Today has been the perfect occasion to showcase the quality and vibrancy of Hong Kong racing, and to promote Hong Kong racing as a world brand.” 

Officials at the HKJC reported total handle on the program to be HK$1.468 billion (about US$189.4 million), the highest since 1997 and an increase of 7.6% over 2013. The total turnover on the four International races was HK$542.9 million (US$70 million), an increase of 14.5% over last year. 

“We have seen tremendous growth in the attendance here today and I think part of that is down to our simulcasting, our ability to show races from overseas,” said Bill Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing. “We now have 15 simulcast days and I think Hong Kong is now waking up and is having the exposure to great international events overseas. This day today certainly fits among the world’s best racing occasions on the global calendar.” 

With several countries now betting into the Hong Kong pools, including the U.S., total commingled handle from those jurisdictions was a record HK$56 million (US$7.2 million), Nader reported. 

In addition to Joao Moreira’s star turn, Douglas Whyte rode four winners on the program and was second past the post in the Vase, the Sprint and the Mile. Hong Kong’s three leading riders–Moreira, Whyte and Zac Purton–accounted for seven of the eight top spots in the four International events. In addition to Flintshire, Juddmonte Farms bred two other winners on the program–Dundonnell (First Defence), winner of the 2012 G3 Acomb S. for Roger Charlton; and, making his Hong Kong debut, Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast), another Charlton product who will now be set for the Hong Kong Derby. That horse is owned by Pan Sutong, whose Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the 2013 Derby before adding the Hong Kong Cup at the end of the year.