The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) is supporting the inaugural LONGINES Hong Kong International Horse Show (LHKIHS), being held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from today (14 February) to 16 February. The event features world-class showjumping, equestrian displays and performances. The Club is serving as Founding Partner, providing technical support on bio-security, veterinary matters and stable management, and is also title sponsor for a “Live Zone” where attendees can learn more about horse sports.
The show’s opening ceremony was held today. Attending officials included Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, President of The Equestrian Federation of Hong Kong, China (EFHKC) and President of LHKIHS Honorary Committee; Pan Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR; Sun Zhaomin, 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; Jack Huang, Vice President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI); George Tsoi, Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Wilfred Ng, Chairman of the Major Sports Events Committee; Dane Cheng, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and representatives from the organiser and partners.
Officiating at the ceremony, Michael Lee, Club Chairman and President of EFHKC as well as President of LHKIHS Honorary Committee, said Hong Kong plays a leading role in the development of equestrian sport nationally and regionally. He noted the show serves as a platform for equestrian fans and athletes in the Greater Bay Area and across the Mainland to connect with the international community. He added that as the show’s Founding Partner, the Club is leveraging its expertise in equestrian sport to provide technical support on horse transportation, bio-security and veterinary matters, as well as stable management.
Lending further support to the show is a network of local equestrian experts including stewards, judges and course designers, as well as over 100 volunteers. The Club is also title sponsor of the show’s HKJC Live Zone, which features interactive booths and talks from riders to raise awareness of equine sports, including HKJC Equestrian Team members Jacqueline Siu and Annie Ho, who won medals in dressage at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
HKJC Equestrian Team members Patrick Lam, Jacqueline Lai and Clarissa Lyra will represent Hong Kong, China in some LHKIHS competitions.
In addition, the Club is launching a series of youth engagement activities in celebration of its 140th anniversary to promote art and creativity and enhance cultural appreciation of Xu Beihong, a pioneering Chinese artist celebrated for his unique depiction of horses. The initiative under the banner “Empowering Youth Through Art” was organised at the HKJC Live Zone today with artist Simon Ma leading 30 primary school students from JC Project MuSE – initiated and funded by the Club’s Charities Trust – in painting miniature horse sculptures.
Over the coming months, the initiative will extend to all schools in Hong Kong, inspiring young people to create their own artwork and uniting them behind a shared passion for art and creativity.
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.
