A fun day out was had by all at Sha Tin Racecourse today, Saturday 26 August, when more than 14,600 attendees, including racehorse owners and the general public, enjoyed a variety of educational and racing-related activities at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pre-season Carnival.
The annual event, held a week ahead of the Hong Kong racing season’s opening fixture - this year scheduled for Sunday, 3 September - as usual provided a welcoming, family-friendly environment packed with fun attractions.
The headline attractions at the annual carnival this year included grand performances from Yao Jue Music Academy and the Hong Kong String Orchestra, a toy upcycling workshop offered by YMCA of Hong Kong, unicycling performances by UAHK, and a display, exhibition and mini-game booth with freebies from TINY. Pre-season Carnival favourites, the Shetland Ponies, were on hand for grooming and many youngsters made the most of one of the day’s most popular activities - pony rides. In addition, the “Share Your Best Moment!” photo competition proved to be very popular among participants.
The day’s outright highlight was once again the annual Jockeys’ Sprint, with Hong Kong’s star riders pairing off for a 100m relay contest. The Club’s Executive Director, Racing Authority Mr. Andrew Harding took on the role of starter and got the race off to a clean break. Having shown fleetness of foot and seamless teamwork, the winning team of Karis Teetan and Kei Chiong claimed the unofficial “first race” of the season. The Club’s Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations Mr. Anthony Kelly, presented a HK$5,000 cheque, the winning trophy and medals to Karis Teetan and Kei Chiong after the competition. Umberto Rispoli and racing trainee Kenny Lau in second place, and Neil Callan and Dylan Mo, and Chad Schofield and Vincent Ho in joint-third, were also presented with medals and cheques of HK$3,000 and HK$2,000, respectively.
Visitors also took the opportunity to watch the real stars, the race horses, in action. Dozens strode out under their riders in six turf barrier trials as evening arrived. The on-track action offered a taste of the exciting entertainment to come at the 2017/18 season opener at Sha Tin next Sunday.
Recent Jockeys’ Sprint Results
Year |
Champions
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2nd
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3rd
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2017
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Karis Teetan / Kei Chiong
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Umberto Rispoli / Kenny Lau
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Neil Callan / Dylan Mo and Chad Schofield/ Vincent Ho (joint-third)
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2016
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Karis Teetan / Jack Wong
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Chad Schofield / Samuel Cheng
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Neil Callan / Dylan Mo
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2015
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Nash Rawiller / Howard Cheng
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Douglas Whyte / Richard Fourie
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Alvin Ng / Vincent Ho
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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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2009
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Jacky Tong
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Olivier Doleuze
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Derek Leung
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2008
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Jacky Tong
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Olivier Doleuze
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Howard Cheng
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2007
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Manoel Nunes
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Eric Saint-Martin
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Olivier Doleuze
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2006
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Olivier Doleuze
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Manoel Nunes
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Eric Saint-Martin
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Anthony Kelly (10th from left), Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations, Andrew Harding (12th from left), Executive Director, Racing Authority, and all participants of the annual Jockeysa£á? Sprint pose for a group photo before the contest.
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Photo 2, 3, 4
Jockeys dash over 100m in front of the grandstand, with the team comprising Karis Teetan and Kei Chiong storming home to take this yeara£á?s contest. Team Umberto Rispoli and racing trainee Kenny Lau finished second, while the teams of Neil Callan and Dylan Mo, and Chad Schofield and Vincent Ho dead-heated for third.
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Photo 5, 6, 7
At the presentation ceremony, Anthony Kelly, Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations, presents the winning trophies, medals and prizes to Jockeysa£á? Sprint winners Karis Teetan and Kei Chiong, second-placed team Chad Schofield and racing trainee Kenny Lau, as well as third-placed teams Neil Callan and Dylan Mo, and Chad Schofield and Vincent Ho.
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Andrew Harding, Anthony Kelly and all participating jockeys smile for the cameras after the Jockeysa£á? Sprint presentation ceremony.
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Photo 9, 10
A fully-fledged pre-season grass trial session offers visitors an opportunity to experience the power and speed of racehorses in action.
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