HKJC participates in International Travel Expo for the first time

1 June 2010

The Hong Kong Jockey Club will participate for the first time in the International Travel Expo Hong Kong, held between 10 to 13 June at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  Besides highlighting the tourism appeal of its world-famous racing activities, which have helped the city become a favourite travel destination, the Club will showcase its 125-year history and major contributions to the community.

The Club's booth has been designed in the shape of a racetrack, echoing its two racecourses at Happy Valley and Sha Tin which offer some of the finest racing facilities in the world.  Visitors can learn more about these two racecourses and their histories through fascinating video, pictures and text.

Long established among locals as the city's favourite spectator sport, horse racing has also now become an icon of the city's free-wheeling lifestyle and one of its most popular, "must see" tourism attractions.  The historic racetrack at Happy Valley, surrounded by skyscrapers, has an electric atmosphere and breathtaking views.  Nothing beats the excitement of midweek racing under floodlights at "the Valley". 

Thousands of tourists come to enjoy the party atmosphere there throughout the year, enjoying the racing either from exclusive boxes that offer fine international dining, or from the trackside where they can socialise with the locals over a cold beer or two and enjoy a stunning front-row view of the racing action.  The Beer Garden is a favourite relaxation place for Hong Kong's young professionals during the night-time races.

Sha Tin Racecourse, which opened in 1978, is home to some of the world's biggest international events including the annual Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races each December, widely recognised as the Turf World Championships.  The high-resolution Diamond Vision screen was the longest television display in the world when opened in 2003.  The Parade Ring gives Sha Tin another record as the first racecourse in the world with a retractable paddock roof.

A visit to Hong Kong is truly incomplete without experiencing Hong Kong's number one spectator sport.  The Hong Kong Jockey Club offers different packages to help Mainland and overseas visitors experience the excitement of horse racing.

Over the years, the Club has also funded the building of a number of Hong Kong's best-known recreational facilities, including Ocean Park which has since blossomed into one of the region's leading tourism attractions.  Through historical photos and video clips, visitors to the Club's ITE booth can learn more about this and the many other contributions the Club has made to Hong Kong society over the past 125 years as a result of its not-for-profit business model, whereby its surpluses go to charitable and community projects.

During ITE, the Club will also take the opportunity to promote Hong Kong's proud "can-do" spirit to overseas and local visitors.  A group of residents from different districts will demonstrate the ten Hong Kong Can Do Exercise routines at 3:00 pm on 13 June.  The Can Do Exercise was designed by well-known wing chun master Ip Chun in connection with the Club's 125th Anniversary programme, and each of its ten routines encapsulates a message of positive living.  It aims to promote a healthy lifestyle among the public through doing more exercise.

Another highlight on the same day will be a "Happy Talk" session by popular local TV host Suzi Wong, who will share stories of positive and happy moments in her life to help the public appreciate how they can face life's challenges and overcome adversity.  Not to be missed are the Club's 125th Anniversary special souvenirs which will be distributed to visitors throughout the Expo.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.