King of Lesotho visits HKJC' s world-class equine facilities

9 February 2010

King Letsie III of Lesotho and his delegation visited The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse on 29 January and were given a personal tour of the world-class Sha Tin Racecourse, including the highly-acclaimed Olympic Stables and supporting facilities that contributed to the successful staging of the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The King was met by the Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Executive Director of Racing William A Nader, who led the guests on a guided visit to the Olympic Stables, the Equine Hospital and the Racing Laboratory to appreciate how the Club provides quality care to its horses.  The Equine Hospital and Racing Laboratory, known worldwide for their top-notch technology and facilities, earned much praise for the professional support they gave to the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.  The Laboratory not only provided the first-ever on-site equine medication control testing for the Games, it also achieved the fastest-ever turn-round of equine drug testing.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges and Mr Nader later showed the King the many "No 1" racing facilities dotting the Sha Tin Racecourse, including the world's first Parade Ring with a retractable roof and the world's longest outdoor Diamond Vision screen.

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.