A fun day out was enjoyed by all at Sha Tin Racecourse today, Saturday 6 September, when over 10,000 participants took part in various educational and racing-related activities at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pre-season Carnival.
The annual event, held a week prior to the opening fixture of Hong Kong’s racing season - this year scheduled on Sunday, 14 September - provided a friendly, welcoming environment in which families and friends took part in different fun and educational activities. Postcard and painting workshops proved popular, as did mooncake-making lessons and a cheerful performance by a world champion clown. Children and adults alike had the opportunity to learn more about animal care as the ever-popular Shetland Ponies were on hand for grooming, with many youngsters making the most of one of the day’s most popular features - pony rides.
The day’s outright highlight was once again the annual Jockeys’ Sprint. This year’s fascinating event had a new look as Hong Kong’s star riders formed into teams of two for a 100m relay contest. Having shown fleetness of foot and seamless teamwork, the team comprised of Karis Teetan and Vincent Ho were the first to cross the finish line and claim the crown in this unofficial “first race” of the season. The Club’s Executive Director of Racing, Mr William A Nader, presented a HK$5,000 cheque, the winning trophy and medals to Teetan and Ho after the competition. Team Alex Lai and Jacky Tong in second, and team Alvin Ng and Olivier Doleuze in third, were also presented medals and cheques of HK$3,000 and HK$2,000 respectively.
Visitors also had the chance to watch the real stars, the race horses, in action. Dozens strode out under their riders in eight turf barrier trials as evening arrived. The on-track action offered a taste of the exciting entertainment to come at the 2014/15 season opener at Sha Tin next Sunday.
Results of Jockeys’ Sprint for the past five years
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Year
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Champions
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First Runners-up
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Second Runners-up
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2014
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Karis Teetan /
Vincent Ho
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Alex Lai /
Jacky Tong
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Alvin Ng /
Olivier Doleuze
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2013
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Nicola Pinna
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Karis Teetan
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Andreas Suborics
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2012
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Richard Fourie
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Jacky Tong
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Olivier Doleuze
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2011
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Brett Prebble
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Jacky Tong
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Howard Cheng
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2010
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Olivier Doleuze
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Jacky Tong
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Derek Leung
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Photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The Hong Kong Jockey Cluba£á?s Pre-Season Carnival, an ever-popular outdoor event for families each summer, is held today at Sha Tin Racecourse. Young guests and their families share some entertaining and educational moments as they take part in myriad on-course activities and horse-related attractions.
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Popular character Fatina, created by local designer Prudence Mak from Chocolate Rain, dress up in jockey silks and available for photo-taking.
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Little Boy, another well-known character created by local designer Bigsoil, is also available for photo taking.
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Children learn from the experienced Club chef how to make mooncakes. They can make two mooncakes each to share with their families.
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The 3Doodler Painting Workshop allows children to draw in the air and lift their imagination off the page.
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Champions of the World Clown Competition Ashida (Noisy Chao Chao) showcases her skills to delight children and adults alike.
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Photo 12, 13, 14
Children have the opportunity to ride the Cluba£á?s ponies, to take photos with the ponies, and to understand how the Club farriers work.
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Children's favourite Rody Horse Wonderland exhibits a giant 15-foot high horse for photo opportunity.
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William A Nader, Executive Director of Racing of the HKJC, and all participating jockeys of the annual Jockeysa£á? Sprint pose for a group photo before the contest.
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Photo 17, 18, 19
All participating jockeys dash over 100m in front of the grandstand, with the team comprises of Vincent Ho and Karis Teetan storming home to crown this yeara£á?s contest. Team Alex Lai and Jacky Tong finish second, while Alvin Ng and Olivier Doleuze in third.
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Photo 20, 21, 22
At the presentation ceremony, Mr Nader presents the winning trophies, medals and prizes to Jockeysa£á? Sprint 2014 winners Vincent Ho and Karis Teetan, first runners-up Alex Lai and Jacky Tong, as well as second runners-up Alvin Ng and Olivier Doleuze.
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Mr Nader and all participating jockeys smile for cameras after the presentation ceremony.
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Photo 24, 25
A fully-fledged pre-season grass trial offers visitors an opportunity to experience the power and speed of racehorses in motion.
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