The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“Club”) marked the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) today (Monday, 1 July) at Sha Tin Racecourse by staging the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday. Apart from exciting races, entrants participated in on-course activities, including live performances from TV show “Midlife, Sing and Shine!” singers. Tourists to Hong Kong were able to enjoy free admission by showing a valid travel document upon entry to the Public Enclosure, enabling both citizens and tourists to enjoy horse racing and entertainment.
Run as a twilight fixture, the 11-race programme had two feature contests, the Hong Kong Reunification Cup and the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, as well as an array of on-course activities headlined by “Midlife, Sing and Shine!” champions Albert Chau and German Ku in the Parade Ring. The other four singers from the show, Miranda Lee, Ramon Lo, Raymond Tam and Micgo Ngan each featured near Mezza One during race intervals.
The Hong Kong Reunification Cup was run as Race 6. The Honourable Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, GBM, GBS, JP, President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, Ms Lu Xinning, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Mr Pang Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR presented the trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup was run as Race 7. The Honourable Starry Lee Wai-king, GBS, JP, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Chairman of the House Committee; Ms Lin Ying, Deputy Director-General of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, presented the trophies to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
The Hong Kong Reunification Cup was won by the Manfred Man-trained Chiu Chow Spirit under jockey Alexis Badel. The Pierre Ng-trained Super Bonus with Andrea Atzeni aboard took the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, while earlier, the CMA 90th Anniversary Cup was won by the Chris So-trained Flying High, ridden by Lyle Hewitson.
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 charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.
