HKJC launches 125th Anniversary programmes with mass exercise to impart positive energy for Hong Kong community

6 September 2009

The coming 2009/10 racing season marks the 125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which since its establishment in 1884 has played a key role in the city's evolution, developing the sport of horse racing while contributing to society.  Today (6 September) Club Chairman John C C Chan announced a series of programmes that will be organised to commemorate this special milestone under the banner of 'Racing Ahead for You'.

"The Club has always been an important part of Hong Kong society and is committed to providing world-class sporting and betting entertainment, as well as being the city's community benefactor," Mr Chan said.  "Through our not-for-profit business model, we intend to continue excelling in both respects, with the goal of 'Racing Ahead for You'."

Mr Chan said that over the past 125 years, racing had not only become an important part of Hong Kong people's lives, but also helped Hong Kong establish a high reputation in international sporting circles. "We achieved International Group One status for all four Hong Kong International Races within a record five years, which is no small feat, and serves as recognition of the Club's comprehensive strategies and product development efforts."

Citing the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races in December as an example, Mr Chan said this annual event was now "a must on racing calendars" and had become widely recognised as the Turf World Championships, attracting many overseas visitors.  Hong Kong horses had also achieved outstanding results internationally, with two locally-trained horses rated among the world's top six thoroughbreds this year.

"Hong Kong's co-hosting of the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympics was another demonstration of our city's !¥can do spirit'," Mr Chan noted.  "The Club created world-class equestrian facilities in record time, which won acclaim as the best in Olympic history and gave Hong Kong some wonderful brand exposure worldwide."

Equally important, he stressed, was the Club's role as a stable source of Hong Kong's tax revenue and its determination over the years to preserve and create job opportunities for society.  One of its key tasks was to offer the public regulated betting services in accordance with Government policies, which meant combating illegal gambling while meeting the public's demand for regulated betting services.

"Over the years, the Club has witnessed many transitions in society, and has stood by the people of Hong Kong in both good times and bad," Mr Chan recalled. "For instance, from the 1950s to the 1970s, Hong Kong was under the threat of highly infectious diseases, including leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis.  In response to this, we immediately funded the establishment of hospitals for those affected.  When large influxes of immigrants posed a heavy burden on Hong Kong's medical and educational resources, we set up a number of clinics and nurseries, as well as providing scholarships for education."

In support of the fight against SARS in 2003, the Club had promptly lent a helping hand to enable schools and community centres to install new hygiene facilities before resumption of the school term.  Furthermore, to better equip Hong Kong for preventing future epidemics, the Club recommended and funded the setting-up of the Centre for Health Protection.

"Today, as Hong Kong faces new problems and a growing demand for a better quality of life, we recognise that our services also need to grow with community," Mr Chan stressed. "Our vision is to anticipate Hong Kong's future needs, so as to enhance the quality of life of our citizens."

Mr Chan said that the Club's 125th Anniversary programmes would enable Hong Kong people to "walk down the memory lane of our city's and the Club's development".  They would be built around seven themes, namely 'Preserving and creating jobs', 'Clean and healthy living', 'Lending a hand and volunteering', 'Can-do spirit and creating possibilities', 'Sports, fun and games', 'Racing heroes' and 'Service excellence'.

A major feature of the 125th Anniversary programmes will be exhibitions at different venues charting the parallel history of Hong Kong and the Club.  Other highlights will include an HKJC 125th Anniversary Sweepstakes; an HKJC 125th Anniversary Cup horse race in mid-November; an Equine Fun Fest in Penfold Park; the 'Hong Kong Can Do Campaign'; and a range of HKJC 125th Anniversary souvenir merchandise (please refer to the fact sheets for more details).

"We hope the public will participate actively in these events and through doing so, will be encouraged to live a healthy life, work well and help others, imparting a sense of positive energy," Mr Chan observed. "In this way we can further strengthen Hong Kong's can-do spirit."

A citywide community engagement programme, the 'Hong Kong Can Do Campaign', will be promoted across the city's 18 Districts, comprising ten !¥Hong Kong Can Do Exercise' routines designed by Honorary Life Chairman of the Hong Kong Wing Chun Union, Ip Chun.  Each of the ten Hong Kong Can Do routines encapsulates a message of positive living, with the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle among the public.

To spread this healthy message citywide, members of the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team will partner the Hong Kong Wing Chun Union in teaching people at different NGOs and in different districts how to practise the exercise.

At today's press conference, around 1,000 district representatives, members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and the Hong Kong Wing Chun Union took the lead in performing a mass demonstration of the !¥Hong Kong Can Do Exercise'.

To showcase the Club's 125-year history and major contributions to the community, exhibitions will be held around Hong Kong through various media during the Anniversary year.  The exhibition will include three feature zones to bring back memories of the Club and old Hong Kong, namely 'Walking along the Skyline', 'Racing Ahead for You Databank' and 'The 120-degree Curved Screen Theatre'.

The exhibition will begin today at Sha Tin Racecourse and will later stage in Penford Park as well as four major shopping malls from October 2009 to February 2010.  It will also be part of the 44th Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo in late 2009 and the 24th International Travel Expo in June 2010.

The Hong Kong Racing Museum at Happy Valley will also mount a special Moments in History - The Hong Kong Jockey Club 125th Anniversary Exhibition from 15 September 2009 to late July 2010, displaying historic exhibits and photos dating back to the 19th century.  The exhibition will chart the evolution and development of the Club and its horse racing history in Hong Kong, as well as its long tradition in giving back to the community through charitable donations.

In addition, to share these memories with more local residents, a series of HKJC 125^th Anniversary Broadcasts featuring the Club's history and contributions to the community will be broadcast on TVB Jade, Cable TV (News Channel & Entertainment Channel) and Commercial Radio (Radio 1 & Radio 2).

"Hong Kong people are the prime force in driving the city forward," Mr Chan emphasised.  "As part of the community, the Club's greatest wishes are to continue sharing its happiness with Hong Kong people; to bring the can-do spirit into full play; and to support the community by providing timely support for Hong Kong's future needs, which will also be our greatest comfort."

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.