The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (Saturday) announced the promotion of Mr. Andrew Harding to the position of Executive Director, Racing Authority with effect from 1 September 2015.
Mr. Harding joined the Club in 2012 as Director of Racing Development. In his new capacity as Executive Director, Racing Authority, Mr. Harding will be responsible for the Club’s role in controlling and supervising horse racing in Hong Kong to ensure the Club maintains public confidence in Hong Kong racing and that the standard of regulation is world best in positioning the Club as an international leader in the sport.
The operational responsibilities of the Racing Authority Division include overseeing areas relating to racing registry, racing control, racing laboratory, and veterinary regulation, as well as quarantine policies and protocol, licensing, the Racing Development Board, and equestrian affairs. In addition to these, the division will also drive the improvement in international standards for intellectual property rights protection, drug control, movement of horses, black type races, quality control, harmonised rules of racing, and other matters which impact the Club’s growth opportunities. Mr. Harding will also be the Club’s dedicated resource in supporting the development of the racing regulatory framework for China.
In assuming this expanded role, Mr. Harding will continue as the Club’s ambassador at the international level with his roles as Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, Special Counsellor to the President of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), Chairman of the IFHA Technical Advisory Committee, and Co-Secretary General of the International Horse Sports Confederation.
Mr Harding is an Australian qualified lawyer and he holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics degrees from the University of Queensland. Before joining the Club, he was Chief Executive of the Australian Racing Board and Deputy CE & Counsel of Queensland Racing.
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 funds 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.
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The Hong Kong Jockey Club's newly-promoted Executive Director, Racing Authority, Mr. Andrew Harding.
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