The Hong Kong Jockey Club hosted its annual Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse today, Saturday, 24 August, and more than 9,000 people turned out to enjoy the fun.

Racehorse Owners, Club Members, guests and the general public, took part in a variety of educational and racing-related activities one week out from the 2019/20 season opener on 1 September.

The popular event as usual provided a welcoming, family-friendly environment packed with fun attractions. One of the novel activities this year was the “Bamboo Fun” upcycling workshop. Driven by upcycling initiatives, the workshop shared DIY techniques to create items such as swings and Chinese musical gongs from recycled bamboo. Another activity, KMB Road Safety City, sought to instill road safety among youngsters. And, for the second year in a row, the 4M STEAM Fun Academy provided lots of fun for kids while helping them improve their STEM knowledge.

Douglas Whyte did the starter duty.

The Carnival offered six fun game zones. Stage performances, roving shows and prize-winning games were enjoyed throughout the day. Outdoor fun at Penfold Park included the ever-popular Shetland Pony rides, as well as the all-new Water Gun Land.

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, Mr. Andrew Harding, took on the role of judge while Hong Kong riding legend and first-season trainer Douglas Whyte acted as starter and got the race off to a clean break.

Jockeys dash 100m in front of the grandstand, with Aldo Domeyer and Derek Leung storming home to take this year’s contest. Alfred Chan and Joao Moreira finished second, while the pairing of Matthew Poon and Grant Van Niekerk finished third.

Aldo Domeyer and Derek Leung won the unofficial “first race” of the season in unique style. South African Domeyer charged well clear at the hand-over, playfully turned to face his beaten rivals as he ran backwards to the finish, then lost balance and tumbled through the tape.

Mr. Andrew Harding and Mr. William Nader, Director of Racing Business and Operations presented a HK$5,000 cheque, the winning trophy and medals to Aldo Domeyer and Derek Leung after the competition. Alfred Chan and Joao Moreira took second place, and Matthew Poon and Grant Van Niekerk third. The place-getters were also presented with medals and cheques of HK$3,000 and HK$2,000, respectively.

At the presentation ceremony, Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing (right) and William Nader, Director of Racing Business and Operations (left) present the winning trophies, medals and prizes to Jockeys’ Sprint winners Aldo Domeyer and Derek Leung, second-placed team Alfred Chan and Joao Moreira, and third-placed Matthew Poon and Grant Van Niekerk.

Visitors also took the opportunity to watch the real stars, the race horses, in action. Dozens strode out under their riders in five turf barrier trials as evening arrived. The on-track action offered a taste of the exciting entertainment to come at the 2019/20 season opener at Sha Tin next Sunday, 1 September.

A fully-fledged pre-season grass trial session gave visitors an opportunity to experience the power and speed of racehorses in action.

Past Jockeys’ Sprint Results