The sun shone down on Hong Kong racing’s 2015/16 season opener today, Sunday, 6 September, as more than 72,000 racing fans turned out on course and turnover rose to a new high for the day of HK$1.147 billion.
“We are satisfied with what we view as being a more than resilient start to the season,” said Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer. “Turnover is up by 1% on this day last year, but the key thing to note is that in 2014 we had a 10% jump in turnover on the previous year. To achieve this level under the very difficult economic circumstances is really satisfying and we are delighted.”
High late summer temperatures did not dissuade Hong Kong’s throng of passionate racing fans from attending the 10-race season opener, which featured the Class 1 Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s Cup.
“Attendance was a little bit down but it was still the second-highest attendance in the past 20 years, despite the warm weather, so this was more than we were hoping for,” said the CEO. “This shows the attractiveness of our racing product, and the value of the investment we have made through our marketing initiatives, and our customers are obviously very keen to participate.”
The 10-race card was a triumph for Champion Jockey Joao Moreira and past 13-time champion Douglas Whyte, both of whom rode a treble, while the day’s feature went to I’m In Charge for jockey Matthew Chadwick and trainer Caspar Fownes.
Two new faces in the Hong Kong jockeys’ room also both enjoyed a positive opening to the season as Chad Schofield kicked off with a winner and new apprentice Kei Chiong, the first female rider to be licensed in Hong Kong in 15 years, went close.
“I think it was a very good start from two of our newcomers,” said Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges. “It was important for Chad Schofield to have a first winner at his first race meeting and I think Kei Chiong rode very well. She came second on her second ride and she got a very loud cheer in the parade ring.”
Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR, sounded the ceremonial gong to usher in an auspicious start to the new season and was on hand to present the winners’ trophies to I’m In Charge’s connections following the feature race.
