The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (1 July) announced its support for the 15th National Games, as well as the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG) in the Guangdong Competition Region. This includes high-quality technical support for the equestrian events of the 15th National Games. This is in addition to the HK$450 million the Club is providing for the Hong Kong Competition Region as sole Partner Sponsor. The Club’s contribution reflects its support for national sporting events and its commitment to promoting sports development in collaboration with Mainland authorities.

To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at the Club’s Sha Tin Clubhouse today. Attending the ceremony were Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Li Shuguang; Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding; and Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that as a world-class horse sports and charity organisation with a strong commitment to the country and Hong Kong, the Club has long been a staunch supporter of the nation’s major sports events, including the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the recent 19th Hangzhou Asian Games. The Club is therefore honoured to give its full support to all three games. The Club hopes that its participation will not only contribute to their success but also further develop equestrian sport at the national level, especially within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Without doubt the games will once again showcase the world-class standard of China’s sport as well as providing wonderful memories for everyone taking part.

Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian said that the Club’s support for the equestrian events and official activities, volunteer services, as well as promotional campaigns in the Guangdong Competition Region, has helped advance the vision of a “Green, Inclusive, Open and Clean” National Games, demonstrating the shared commitment of Guangdong and Hong Kong to serving national strategies. He emphasised that Guangdong and Hong Kong always “stand together with one heart” and he encouraged continued collaboration. By working hand in hand through open dialogue and mutual support, both will unlock an even brighter future for sports development in the Greater Bay Area.

With its world-class expertise in equestrian sport, the Club will provide technical support to the equestrian events of the 15th National Games in the following six areas: (1) venue design, (2) horse welfare, (3) anti-doping, (4) stable management, (5) event service and support, (6) publicity and community engagement. The Club will also deploy an expert team to provide support and equipment for the events, with the aim of helping to ensure the events will be conducted at a high standard. Additionally, the Club will support official activities, volunteer services and promotion work in the Guangdong Competition Region. For the above initiatives, the Club has appropriated a total of RMB 50 million.

The National Games, held once every four years, are the nation’s highest-level and largest multi-sports event. This year will be the first time Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have co-hosted the National Games as well as the NGD & NSOG. This is a historic moment and a unique opportunity to promote sportsmanship, health and cohesion within the GBA. The 15th National Games will be held from 9 to 21 November 2025. Equestrian events will take place in Shenzhen’s Guangming District from 10 to 19 November. The NGD & NSOG will take place from 8 to 15 December 2025.

Jockey Club continues its collaboration with the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre

Also today, the Club signed a cooperation agreement with the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre under which the Club will provide funding and technical management support for its equestrian facilities, which are jointly used by the Club and the training centre. Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian said the shared use of the equestrian venues and joint talent development efforts between Guangdong and Hong Kong will help elevate the professional standards of equine sports in both regions, thereby cultivating more top-tier riders from the GBA capable of competing on the international stage, as well as injecting sustainable momentum into high-quality sports development.

The Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre is one of the main bases for cultivating sports talent in Guangdong Province. The Club has been co-operating with the training centre since 2015 and it is now an important location for the Club’s Racing Trainee Programme, which is providing a pipeline of talent ready for the start of racing at Conghua Racecourse in 2026, as well as for the national equine industry.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2023/24, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community. This included HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$10.2 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.