The Hong Kong torch relay for the 15th National Games was held today (2 November), with nine torchbearers from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) proudly taking part. Additionally, the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, also serving as Group Volunteers for the Hong Kong Competition Region, cheered on torchbearers along the relay route in celebration of the Games.

The Club, as the sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region of the 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG), is honoured to have taken part in the torch relay. Its participation highlights the Club’s vitality and unity in inspiring the community, while reaffirming its steadfast support for the 15th National Games.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, served as the 4th torchbearer, running the Central and Western Promenade (Central Section). Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, participated as the 47th torchbearer along the final stretch of the relay at Kai Tak.

Notably, two legs of the Hong Kong relay were run by groups of torchbearers, one of which comprised Club representatives. Torchbearers for the “HKJC group”, carrying the flame in Tsim Sha Tsui, are Jockey Vincent Ho - Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and six other Club representatives from various divisions - some of whom are retired athletes. They included: Amanda Bond from Equestrian Affairs; Hanane Sabri from Racing Marketing (former French national runner); Chris Lo from Football Wagering; Christen Ho from Corporate Security; Nathan Ho from Charities (former Hong Kong rowing elite athlete); and Trainee Apprentice Jockey Alan Lai. Their participation underscored the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society in every respect and the multiculturalism.

In support of the National Games, the Club has committed over HK$500 million to the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competition Regions. As sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region, it is supporting volunteer service programmes, territory-wide community and school promotional activities, as well as initiatives to help underprivileged groups and young people attend the events as spectators. Some 100 members from the Club’s Volunteer Team will help out as Group Volunteers in the Hong Kong Competition Region.

In the Guangdong Competition Region, the Club is providing high-quality technical support for the equestrian events in Shenzhen, leveraging its extensive experience in organising horse sports competitions. To help ensure the equestrian events are conducted to a high standard, the Club is also deploying an expert team and loaning specialist equipment. Additionally, the Club will support the Guangdong Competition Region’s official activities, volunteer services and promotion work.

To recognise the achievements of Hong Kong athletes at the 15th National Games, the Club is sponsoring the Hong Kong Sports Institute to provide cash incentives to medal winners under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation 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 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 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.