The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) marked the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (Wednesday, 1 July) at Sha Tin by staging the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday.
Racegoers enjoyed free admission to both the Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourse Public Enclosures. Together with Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing, an array of live music, entertainment, dining and shopping privileges was on offer at Sha Tin.
Apart from exciting races, entrants participated in on-course activities, including the opening ceremony, held at the Parade Ring. The Honourable Chan Kwok-ki GBS IDSM JP, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR is the Guest of Honour of the opening ceremony. Renowned tenor Zhang Yingxi, FC Tam of “Midlife, Sing & Shine” and the Hong Kong Police Band delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, leading the crowd in celebrating the HKSAR’s 29th anniversary.
Fellow “Midlife, Sing & Shine!” contestants Benson Ngan and Stacey performed classic hits onstage underneath Mezza One throughout the Sha Tin race meeting.
Run as a twilight fixture as part of Hong Kong racing’s ‘Summer Series’, the 11-race programme had three feature contests, the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m), HK$1.86 million Class 3 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1000m) and the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Friends of Hong Kong Association Cup Handicap (1400m).
The Hong Kong Reunification Cup was run as Race 5. The Honourable Paul Lam Ting-kwok GBS SC JP, the Secretary for Justice of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Sun Shangwu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Mr Zhang Changwei, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region presented trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup was run as Race 7. The Honourable Kenneth Fok Kai-kong BBS JP, Member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Mr Zhu Hongwei, Deputy Director-General of the Sports Bureau of the Guangdong Province, presented trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
The Friends of Hong Kong Association Cup was run as Race 3. Mr Tam Kam Kau GBS SBS JP, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Friends of Hong Kong Association, Dr the Honourable Eliza Chan Ching-har GBS JP, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Non-Official Member of the Hong Kong Executive Council of the HKSAR and Vice President of the Friends of Hong Kong Association and Mr Irons Sze GBS JP, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice President and Secretary General of the Friends of Hong Kong Association presented trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
The Hong Kong Reunification Cup was won by the David Hall-trained Ka Ying Attack under jockey Matthew Poon. The Michael Chang-trained Straight To Glory with Derek Leung aboard took the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup. The Friends Of Hong Kong Association Cup was won by the Brett Crawford-trained King Of Fighters under jockey Karis Teetan.
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.
