The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) officially unveiled the refurbished Racing Talent Training Centre (RTTC) training stable at Sha Tin today (Friday, 11 April).

After 17 years of growth and achievement, the RTTC’s refreshed training stable ushers in a new era of developing the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen in a brand-new facility at Sha Tin, which embodies a commitment to excellence and a future filled with promise for Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing industry.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Ever since it opened in 2008, the RTTC stable has been fundamental to talent development at the Club. It represents our commitment to nurturing the very best talent and to achieving the highest standards of equine management and care – all of which are essential to our world-class racing.

“This commitment goes back to the establishment of the Apprentice Jockey School in 1972. World-class champion trainers Tony Cruz, Francis Lui and Ricky Yiu are all graduates from the school. Others, such as Matthew Chadwick, Vincent Ho, Derek Leung and Matthew Poon, are currently pursuing highly successful careers in the saddle.

“No less essential is the daily care and management of racehorses. Recognising this, in 2005 the Club established the Racing Development Board, which in 2022 was rebranded as the Racing Talent Training Centre – the RTTC.

“Over the past two decades, the RTTC has provided vocational and skills training to non-riding professionals. Many have gone on to enjoy highly successful careers as Assistant Trainers, head lads, stable assistants, farriers, and in many other roles.

I sincerely hope every trainee who benefits from its outstanding facilities will go on to enjoy a fulfilling and successful career with the Club. I hope they will join with us to take Hong Kong’s world-class racing to even greater heights of excellence.”

Amy Chan, Racing Talent Training Centre Executive Manager and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The investment we put into upgrading the facilities aims to create an inspiring environment to ensure that our students are united in the mission to strive and shine.

 “The upgrades include stable facilities and the classroom area. In terms of the stable itself, brand-new horse stalls have been installed, and the wash-down bay has been redesigned to provide a comfortable environment for horses.

The “Racing Talent Training Centre” currently oversees two separate entities: the “Apprentice Jockeys’ School”, which specialises in training riding talents, and the “Racing Talent School”, which provides training for the various other positions available in the horse racing industry.

The Apprentice Jockeys’ School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. The certificate programmes on offer for jockeys, work riders, stable assistants, advanced stable assistants and assistant trainers at the RTTC are all accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ).