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Jockeys to show off jumping skills at the Jockey Cluba£á?s 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders

01/13/2015

To mark its 130th Anniversary with the community, a series of innovative and exciting programmes have been launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club recently. As part of the celebrations, the Club is also supporting, as an institutional partner, the 5-star Longines Hong Kong Masters, which will take place from 13 to 15 February at AsiaWorld-Expo. As Asia’s largest 5-star show jumping competition, the event will help promote equestrian sport and share the excitement of equine sport with Hong Kong people.

Details of the Club’s support were announced at a press conference on 13 January by the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. He also shared details of a special competition featuring top Hong Kong Jockeys, who will pair with the world’s leading riders to compete in the “HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders” over a show jumping course.

“The Hong Kong Masters is just three years old, but it is already the leading show jumping competition in Asia”, said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. “What makes the Masters so special for Hong Kong is that it opens the eyes of Hong Kong people to world class equestrian action.” 

To celebrate the anniversary, the Club, together with event organizer EEM, has created the “HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders” which will follow immediately after “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy” on Friday 13 February. The “HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders” will take the form of a speed challenge, with four jockeys - Joao Moreira, Zac Purton, Matthew Chadwick and Neil Callan - competing over a jumping course against the clock. Each jockey will be partnered by a top show jumping equestrian, who will coach them in how to tackle the course and take the jumps.

The main competition will see some 25 top riders from around the world competing for more than HK$ 7.7 million in prize money, with Hong Kong being represented by Raena Leung, a member of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team. To help develop the talent of Hong Kong’s equestrians, as in the past two years, a series of special riding clinics will also be provided by top international riders to members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Junior Equestrian Squad.

To share the excitement, the Club is sponsoring 1000 tickets for local students to attend the Hong Kong Masters. 

The Club has been an institutional partner of the Longines Hong Kong Masters since its inception in 2013, and is again providing a number of professional services to support the event, including veterinary support, horse transportation and stables management. 

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 $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it 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.   Please visit 130.hkjc.com.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges announces the Cluba£á?s support for the Longines Hong Kong Masters, including sponsorship of a£á?The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophya£á?, and the co-hosting of the a£á?HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Ridersa£á?.
Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges announces the Cluba£á?s support for the Longines Hong Kong Masters, including sponsorship of a£á?The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophya£á?, and the co-hosting of the a£á?HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Ridersa£á?.

Raena Leung, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team, looks forward to testing her skills against top international riders in the Longines Hong Kong Masters.
Raena Leung, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team, looks forward to testing her skills against top international riders in the Longines Hong Kong Masters.

Club Steward and President of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Michael T H Lee (2nd right), Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left), and member of the HKJC Equestrian Team Raena Leung (1st right) pose for a photo together with Chief Executive Officer of EEM World Christophe Ameeuw (1st left) and Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines Juan-Carlos Capelli (3rd left).
Club Steward and President of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Michael T H Lee (2nd right), Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd left), and member of the HKJC Equestrian Team Raena Leung (1st right) pose for a photo together with Chief Executive Officer of EEM World Christophe Ameeuw (1st left) and Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines Juan-Carlos Capelli (3rd left).

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