Corporate News

Jockey Club sponsors China Tour Final in Guangzhou to promote equestrian development

11/03/2014

The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced in Beijing today (3 November) its sponsorship for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup Guangzhou Final under the 2014 Longines China Tour, as a means of further supporting the development of equestrian sport. The competition to be held in Guangzhou in early December is a CSI3* jumping event accredited by the International Equestrian Federation.  Over ten visiting riders, from Hong Kong, Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, including a number of world champions, will compete with Mainland participants at the event. 

The press conference for the Guangzhou event was held at the General Administration of Sport of China in Beijing today.  Officiating guests included the Club’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak, Vice President of Chinese Equestrian Association (CEA) Shen Lihong, Secretary-General of CEA Li Nianxi and some of the participating riders. 

As a sports and charitable organisation catering for social needs, the Jockey Club has given staunch support to China’s sports development in recent years in various areas by facilitating co-operation between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland on the sporting front.

Mr Mak told guests at the press conference that CEA had been working with the Club for a number of years. The Club was grateful to CEA for having chosen Guangzhou as the last stop of the Tour and given the Club a chance to participate in this great event.

“We hope that our involvement in the tournament will help arouse people’s interest in and support to the development of equestrian sport and the promotion of horse culture on the Mainland,” he said.  “I believe that the final round of the Tour in Guangzhou will be a milestone in equestrian development.” 

Vice President of CEA Shen Lihong praised the Club for its long-standing co-operation with CEA to support equestrian development on the Mainland, as the largest not-for-profit organisation in Hong Kong.  The title sponsorship for the Guangzhou Final was based on the existing co-operative framework between the two parties, Shen said, and had opened a new chapter in their relationship.

As Guangzhou was among the first batch of cities to enjoy rapid development after the reform and opening-up of the Chinese Mainland, Shen added, it had been devoted in recent years to driving the rapid growth of equestrian sport in Southern China.  The city's staging of high-level international equestrian events like this would benefit the development of equestrian sport in Guangdong Province, she explained.

The Tour, organised by the CEA, comprises four rounds in major Mainland cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.  The scores attained by the riders at each stop count independently.   The events in Beijing and Shanghai have already been successfully completed, while the Chengdu competition will take place from 7 to 9 November.  The Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup Guangzhou Final will be staged from 5 to 7 December at Huangcun Sports Training Base.

The Tour is a key CEA event launched last year that has earned wide recognition from both the local and overseas equestrian industries. The Association is determined to develop it into an international competition that attracts the participation of top overseas riders. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record HK$3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it has supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Pictured here at the press conference for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup Guangzhou Final under the 2014 Longines China Tour in Beijing are the Cluba£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (7th left);Vice-President of CEA Shen Lihong (6th left); Secretary-General of CEA Li Nianxi (6th right); and other major guests.
Pictured here at the press conference for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup Guangzhou Final under the 2014 Longines China Tour in Beijing are the Cluba£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (7th left);Vice-President of CEA Shen Lihong (6th left); Secretary-General of CEA Li Nianxi (6th right); and other major guests.

The HKJCa£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak says the Club hopes its involvement in the tournament will help arouse peoplea£á?s interest in and support to the development of equestrian sport and the promotion of horse culture on the Mainland.
The HKJCa£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak says the Club hopes its involvement in the tournament will help arouse peoplea£á?s interest in and support to the development of equestrian sport and the promotion of horse culture on the Mainland.

The Cluba£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (right) and Vice President of CEA Shen Lihong (left) sign a contract on the title sponsorship by the Club for the Guangzhou Final.
The Cluba£á?s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (right) and Vice President of CEA Shen Lihong (left) sign a contract on the title sponsorship by the Club for the Guangzhou Final.

Other Corporate News