A pyrotechnic display lit the night sky above Happy Valley on Wednesday, 10 July as Hong Kong’s 2012/13 racing season concluded with a flourish and a sense of accomplishment, with Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailing it as “one of the best seasons we've had, ever.”
Following a thrilling battle for the Trainers’ Championship that went right to the wire before Dennis Yip was narrowly victorious, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “You probably could not have written a better script – this is what Hong Kong racing is all about, the competitiveness that makes it such an exciting sporting spectacle.”
After that last-gasp excitement and with plenty of outstanding performances at the highest level by Hong Kong’s star horses and jockeys throughout the campaign, the season’s 83 meetings produced turnover of HK$93.8 billion, a rise of 9% on 2011/12.
“The figures have been extremely good,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. “Turnover has surpassed the 1996/97 season (the highest previously) and if you look at the contributions to the Government our betting duty stands at HK$11 billion, a 8.6% increase on last season (about HK$10.16 billion), meaning that this year’s betting duty is almost back up to the 1999/2000 level. It must be noted, though, that the Club’s net margin this year was HK$4,085 million, which is still some way short of the 1999/2000 figure (HK$4,500 million). This reflects the challenges the Club has going forward in the face of increasing competition and higher operating costs.”
Hong Kong racing’s overall attendance increased to over two million racegoers in 2012/13. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out that this demonstrated how the Club’s customer-centric approach and its initiatives to enhance the racing experience and racecourse facilities were paying off.
“A lot of people were sceptical about the revitalisation we have undertaken but the results are positive,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. “If you look at our turnover in 2006/07 (after the reform of racing betting duty), which was HK$64 billion, we made a very strong commitment to our customers because we believed in racing and we believed in our quality, and that belief has been and continues to be well-placed. Our revitalising strategy for racing, aimed at addressing the needs of our different customer segments and positioning Hong Kong racing as world-class sporting entertainment, has helped to grow our base of racing fans significantly.
“With the Racecourse Master Plan we have invested nearly HK$3 billion in the past two or three years and if you look at the facilities we now have, this is the benchmark worldwide. We are committed to investing more because we are one of Hong Kong’s few world-class brands. I would really like to thank our customers – they are the ones who drive what we provide.”
On the track, Hong Kong horses won four of the six international Group 1 races staged locally, while Horse of the Year Military Attack and Champion Sprinter Lucky Nine landed major G1 prizes overseas.
“From a sporting point of view, it has been a fantastic season for Hong Kong horses,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. “I personally think the achievements of our horses in the international arena are something that Hong Kong can be proud of. The quality of our product has helped us to position Hong Kong on the world stage as the best racing betting product in the world, with integrity, clear information and competitiveness.”
Related Website Photo Releasei??Happy Valley Night Finale Photo Release
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A dazzling pyrotechnic display lights up the night sky in appreciation of fana£á?s support throughout the season.
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HKJC Chairman, CEO, Stewards, Champion Jockey Douglas Whyte, Champion Trainer Dennis Yip with his family and friends, pose for a group photo at the Champion Awards presentation ceremony.
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