Hong Kong Jockey Club

The combat of illegal betting was a key theme during the first session of panels at the Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town on Wednesday. Douglas Robinson, senior due diligence and research manager for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and deputy chairman of the Asian Racing Federation Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce, said racing "faces a war against a rampant illegal betting market" and stressed the need for racing regulators to build relationships with governments to combat the problem. The ARF's Anti-Illegal Betting Taskforce was set up in 2016 and comprises 14...

The Asian Racing Conference has returned to South Africa for the first time in more than two decades, and following opening ceremonies on Tuesday evening panels are set to take place Feb. 19 through 21 in Cape Town. The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing Andrew Harding, also secretary-general of the Asian Racing Federation, gave the opening address on behalf of HKJC Chief Executive Officer and ARF Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who has remained in Hong Kong to manage the Club's response to the coronavirus pandemic. "Winfried has asked...

In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Hong Kong Jockey Club revealed as part of a statement on Tuesday that it is "critically considering a further reduction of on-site participation by our customers" from Saturday. Meetings at Hong Kong's two racecourses, Sha Tin and Happy Valley, have been staged in recent weeks under partial lockdown, meaning that only owners, horse people, racecourse staff and patrons with existing hospitality bookings were permitted on-course. New hospitality bookings at the two racecourses have been suspended effective immediately. On the same day that Hong...

by Alan Carasso A trio of 100-plus rated 4-year-old heads to the post for Monday's first leg of the Classic series in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Classic Mile. Two of those have already achieved the rare feat of defeating more seasoned gallopers at group level, including the very progressive Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). One of a pair of entrants from the on-fire Francis Lui yard, the gelded son of Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) has won eight from nine, including a commanding two-length tally in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge...

In an unprecedented move owing to the outbreak of coronavirus in mainland China, officials at the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Friday that it would go ahead with Monday's Chinese New Year card at Sha Tin, but that attendance would be restricted to in an effort to "strengthen hygiene protection," according to a release from the Club. Apart from essential parties, i.e. trainers, owners, jockeys, HKJC officials, only those who have booked a prior reservation at racecourse restaurants will be admitted to the track. All customers will receive temperature screenings...

by Alan Carasso Hammered into $1.50 (2-1 on) favouritism to assume the mantle of Hong Kong's top miler, Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) was given a ride full of finesse from jockey Joao Moreira and raced over the top of two-time defending Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) in the dying strides for a maiden Group 1 success in Sunday's Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin. But while there very well may be a new sheriff in town, the deposed king of the hill showed that...

Top-level racing returns to Hong Kong Sunday afternoon with the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) and the G1 Centenary Sprint Prize (1200m) and trainer John Size and jockey Joao Moreira look to have strong claims in both of the HK$10-million events. The travails of two-time defending Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) have been well-documented and the 7-year-old is looking to snap a three-race skid that includes latest third to Japan's Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 8....

For as dominant an animal as he was over the course of 18 months from April 2018 through October 2019, Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) has come back to the pack over his last three appearances and he faces something of a reckoning when he heads to the post in defence of his title in Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. A win--or even a race that remotely approximates his prior form--and it could be on to sexier ports of call. A fourth straight defeat would...

Rare is the import that can win first-up in Hong Kong in competitive Class 2 company. But if there is a conditioner on the grounds at Sha Tin capable of extracting a top effort despite that obvious obstacle, it is John Size, who sent out Glorious Days (Aus) (Hussonet) to win the 2013 G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile off a six-month absence, while 2015 Hong Kong Derby hero Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) nearly won the G1 Stewards' Cup the following January after being away from the races for nearly three-quarters...