The Hong Kong Jockey Club staged its annual Hong Kong Reunification Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse today (1 July) with a range of entertainment to celebrate the HKSAR’s 20th birthday. More than 28,000 visitors attended the events at Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses.
In addition to the two feature races - The Hong Kong Reunification Cup and Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup - racegoers were treated to a variety show and a range of on-course entertainment. The variety show included a performance of “Diabolo Spinning” by award-winning Beijing Acrobatic Troupe, a medley of classic Cantopop songs performed by the Hong Kong Police Silver Band, and the first screening of “Racing Goes On”, a video that captured racing and non-racing moments of the past.
The on-course entertainment included virtual reality games and instant print photo corners. “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Reunification” souvenir fans were handed out, while an array of culinary delights were available at promotional prices. There were also quiz games hosted by some elite athletes, which gave racegoers an opportunity to test their sports knowledge.
Elite athletes from Guangdong Province and Hong Kong who attended the raceday included 2004 FIE Grand Prix Foil Tournament Gold Medallist in the Men’s Individual Fencing Dong Zhaozhi; 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist in Gymnastics Artistic Team Women Li Shanshan; 2015 & 2017 WLBS World Women’s Champion Ng On-yee; World No. 7 Table Tennis Athlete Wong Chun-ting; Team Hong Kong Swimmer Stephanie Au Hoi-shun; Hong Kong High Jump Athlete and Women’s Record Holder Cecilia Yeung Man-wai; Men's Individual Foil Gold Medallist at the 2016 Asian Fencing Championships Cheung Ka-long; and Coach of the Eastern Long Lions Football Team Chan Yuen-ting.
Mr Song Ru’an, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; and Mr Zhu Wen, Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, special guests at The Hong Kong Reunification Cup, presented the trophy.
Meanwhile, members of the group of elite athletes presented the trophy for the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup. Run for the fourth year, the trophy race celebrates the long-term exchange and collaboration between Guangdong Province and Hong Kong in the area of sports.
The Hong Kong Reunification Cup was won by the Chris So-trained Hang’s Decision, ridden by Brett Prebble, while the Peter Ho-trained Turin Pearl ridden by Dylan Mo took the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup.
The Hong Kong Reunification Raceday is an accredited event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16, the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong's largest single tax payer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.
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Over 28,000 racing fans and tourists attend the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday, enjoying a variety of entertainment at the racecourses.
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Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (front row, 1st right) joins Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoplea£á?s Republic of China in the HKSAR Song Rua£á?an (front row, 3rd right), Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Zhu Wen (front row, 2nd right), Club Stewards and Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges for a£á?The Hong Kong Reunification Cupa£á? trophy presentation.
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Before the a£á?The Hong Kong Reunification Cupa£á? race, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Dr Lam Tai-fai (right), presents the award for the Best Turned Out Horse.
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Before the a£á?The Hong Kong Reunification Cupa£á? race, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Dr Lam Tai-fai (right), presents the award for the Best Turned Out Horse.
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Before a£á?The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cupa£á? race, 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist in Gymnastics Artistic Team Women Li Shanshan (right) from Guangdong; and Hong Kong Swimmer Stephanie Au Hoi-shun (cetnre) present the Best Turned Out Horse award.
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Picture 6, 7 and 8:
The Raceday kicked off with a fabulous variety show at the Parade Ring. The programme included a performance of a£á?Diabolo Spinninga£á? by the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe (picture 6), a medley of classic Cantopop songs performed by the Hong Kong Police Silver Band (picture 7), and the first screening of the a£á?Racing Goes Ona£á?, which recaptures the memories of racing and non-racing moments (picture 8).
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Racegoers receive complimentary a£á?Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Reunificationa£á? foldable souvenir fans upon entry.
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Picture 10, 11 and 12:
A variety of fabulous activities and items at the racecourse to celebrate HKSARa£á?s 20th birthday.
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Picture 13 and 14:
Hong Kong High Jump Athlete and Womena£á?s Record Holder Cecilia Yeung Man-wai (picture 13); and Coach of the Eastern Long Lions Football Team Chan Yuen-ting (picture 14) are guest hosts of prize-winning quizzes.
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