The Hong Kong Jockey Club-sponsored Longines Hong Kong Masters was officially opened at Asia World-Expo today (13 February). The highlight of the first day of competition was The HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders, staged in celebration of the Club’s 130th Anniversary. The event was won by a team comprising local jockey, Vincent Ho and international showjumper, Kevin Staut. Before the contest, Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip thanked the jockeys and riders for their participation and wished the event every success.
The Races of the Riders celebrates the passion of equestrian sport and the Club’s 130th Anniversary theme of Riding High Together for a Better Future. It combines the athleticism of racing with the equestrian skill of showjumping, and brings together world-class jockeys with world-class equestrian riders.
The Races of the Riders is a team competition pairing four renowned Hong Kong jockeys with four world-class equestrian riders. The four teams were: Joao Moreira, currently leading this season’s Hong Kong Jockeys’ Championship, paired with German rider Ludger Beerbaum, currently lying third in the world showjumping rankings; Matthew Chadwick, the first local jockey to win one of the Hong Kong International Races, paired with HKJC Equestrian Team member Raena Leung; Irish jockey Neil Callan paired with British rider Scott Brash, currently first in the world showjumping rankings; and local jockey Vincent Ho paired with French rider Kevin Staut, who is currently sixth in the world showjumping rankings. Ultimately, the team of Vincent Ho and Kevin Staut outshone the others to clinch the championship.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy was another highlight of the day, and saw Swiss rider Martin Fuchs defeat 25 riders to claim the championship.
As part of its commitment to giving back to the community, and to share the joy of its 130th Anniversary, the Club is providing 1,000 free tickets to local students to enable more young people to experience Asia’s greatest five-star showjumping competition and to share in the excitement of seeing world-class riders and horses in action.
As in the past two years, a series of special riding clinics is being organised by the Club during the event, with a number of world-class showjumpers invited to share their experience with members of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a strong supporter of equestrian sport in Hong Kong and has been the institutional sponsor of the Hong Kong Masters for the past three years. To ensure the smooth running of the competition, the Club also provides its professional support, including veterinary services, equine transportation and stables management.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.
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Photo 1:
Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip (right) and Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) join jockeys and riders for a photo before the HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders.
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Photo 2:
Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip thanks jockeys and riders for participating in the HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders.
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Photo 3:
Photos 3, 4, 5: Local jockey Vincent Ho partners French rider Keven Staut, the latter currently placed sixth in the world showjumping rankings, to win the HKJC 130th Anniversary Races of the Riders.
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Photo 4
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Photo 5
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Photo 6:
Photos 6, 7: Swiss rider Martin Fuchs claims the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy, another highlight of the day. Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip (2nd left); Club Steward and President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Michael Lee (2nd right); and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right) present the trophy to the champion rider.
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Photo 7
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Photo 8:
The Club is providing 1,000 free tickets to local students to share the excitement of the Hong Kong Masters. Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip and Club Steward and President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Michael Lee talk about the competition with some of the students during today��s event.
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Photo 9:
The Club has invited top international riders to conduct a series of special riding clinics for members of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad to help develop the skills of Hong Kong��s young equestrian riders. These include Swiss rider Jane Richard Philips (left), who was one of the instructors of today��s session.
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