How Hong Kong puts on the world's richest races and funds fight against Covid

In this most difficult of years the contrast between how racing organisations across the world have coped with disrupted action on the track and falling income off-course could not be more stark in comparison with how the Hong Kong Jockey Club has continued to thrive.

Rather than looking to government for funds, the HKJC has been able to donate resources to help Hong Kong alleviate the most debilitating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing HK$610 million (£58.5m) in funding.

In the early months of the crisis that money went towards immediate needs such as the purchase of 15 million facemasks, half a million care packs of essential supplies, funding free data bandwidth to more than 100,000 low-income students during school closures, and a food programme for the unemployed and those not receiving other assistance.

As Hong Kong moves into the post-pandemic landscape, funds generated by the HKJC will help first-time job seekers, the education sector and many other critical needs.

First, though, comes a high point of Hong Kong' s racing year, the Longines International Races (HKIR). Every December for three decades they have been drawing the cream of the world's performers and this Sunday will be no different when the chief celebrity visitor to Sha Tin will be Coolmore's magnificent mare Magical, contesting her 14th consecutive race at Group 1 level, but her first in Hong Kong.

The hardworking Magical, winner of seven Group 1 races, goes through her paces at Sha Tin ahead of Sunday's Longines Hong Kong Cup

It is testament to the appeal of racing in Hong Kong to its local followers and a global audience through commingling, that prize-money for the Longines HKIR is compellingly alluring.

The HK$28 million (£2.68m) Hong Kong Cup over 1m2f, the HK$25 million (£2.4m) Mile and the HK$22 million (£2.1m) 6f Sprint remain the world’s richest Group 1 races on turf over their respective distances.

The fourth of the International Races, the HK$20 million (£1.9m) Vase (1m4f), won by Highland Reel in 2015 and 2017, is hardly a paltry purse either.

HKJC's executive director of racing, Andrew Harding, explains the strategy: "Despite the issues associated with Covid-19, providing prize-money at the level to which the Club has committed encourages owners and ensures Hong Kong’s elite races are attractive to overseas competitors.

"This season we identified a need to increase the prize fund for six Group 1 races, notably the Longines Hong Kong Sprint, which regains its status as the world’s richest Group 1 turf sprint."

Betting on the HKIR, and thereby helping to support this commitment to prize-money, will be a global audience.

"Fans from more than 27 racing jurisdictions will be betting into the Hong Kong pool through our 60 wagering partners for our International Races," says Richard Cheung, HKJC's executive director of customer and international business development.

Richard Cheung, Hong Kong Jockey Club's executive director of customer and international business development: 'This year, more than 90 per cent of bets placed were online, the majority on our two mobile betting apps'

Commingling is an important area of growth for the HKJC and in 2019/20 it increased by 25.3 per cent to HK$23.6 billion (£2.26 billion), accounting for almost 20 per cent of racing turnover.

However, it is not only international fans who are important to maintaining high turnover and therefore prize-money as local punters have not been deterred by being unable to visit Sha Tin and Happy Valley, or off-course betting outlets, for most of this year.

"Last season, thanks to digital readiness and customer migration, we had only a single-digit reduction in horserace wagering," Cheung says. "This season, we have actually seen a strong rebound and double-digit growth, partly caused by reduced entertainment options for customers during Covid.

"This year, more than 90 per cent of bets placed were online, the majority on our two mobile betting apps. Previously, the split was 55 per cent online, 15 per cent call centres and 30 per cent betting shops and racecourses."

The absence of racegoers in the vast Sha Tin grandstands for the HKIR will seem strange for those who have witnessed the tumultuous, enthusiastic crowds at previous runnings, but it was a necessary measure, as Andrew Harding explains: "We know our fans will be disappointed they can't enjoy the racing experience, especially these marquee international events, but we're really pleased the continuation of horseracing has provided essential stay-at-home entertainment for so many.

Andrew Harding, Hong Kong Jockey Club's executive director of racing: 'We look forward eagerly to the day when we return to welcoming large numbers of spectators'

"We've been monitoring the situation to assess what would be feasible within community-wide restrictions set by the government and consistent with our commitment to protect public health and the welfare of racing participants and customers.

"Since late January, the HKJC has adjusted admission to racecourses up and down according to the pandemic’s development. For example, there were only 9,700 racegoers at the Chinese New Year meeting on January 27, compared with 105,700 in 2019.

"Recently, it was decided to limit admission in December to owners with starters to respond to the latest development of Covid-19. It has enabled the club to keep the 'racing bubble' intact and the sport to go on without disruption."

That 'bubble' will be carefully protected during the HKIR. "Measures have been put in place before international jockeys arrive and throughout their time here," Harding says.

"That includes testing and temperature monitoring for seven days before their flight, then on a daily basis while in Hong Kong and in isolation at the Club’s designated accommodation. We have done everything possible to enhance that accommodation, including installing fitness equipment.

"International riders will be brought to the racecourse by HKJC transport and, under supervision, will proceed directly to a separate jockeys' room. An international rider who wins a race will be interviewed remotely from a specially equipped room with the camera operated remotely.

"Obviously, we look forward eagerly to the day when we return to welcoming large numbers of spectators and we are already starting to plan our reactivation strategies.

"Who can really know what 2021 holds for the world. What I can promise is that on 14 December 2020 we will roll up our sleeves and start working to ensure the 2021 edition of the Longines HKIR will be exhilarating and we will be planning an unforgettable experience for everyone who joins us."

The stars of one of global racing’s great carnivals

The 2020 edition of the Longines HKIR may be different but it will still be one of global racing’s great carnivals, says Andrew Harding. "By bringing together some of the world’s best racehorses and jockeys we hope we can provide spectacular sporting entertainment for the millions of fans of Hong Kong racing globally, and exhibit Hong Kong’s inimitable can-do spirit.

"Golden Sixty, who became only the second horse to do a clean sweep of the four-year-old classic series when winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby, will spearhead the local brigade in the Mile. He's the winner of ten consecutive races, holding a record of 13 wins from 14 starts.

"Hong Kong’s highest earner Beauty Generation, a back-to-back Longines Hong Kong Mile winner in 2017 and 2018, will return for his fourth crack at the race, this time under the guidance of David Hayes and will reoppose last year’s winner Admire Mars.

Beauty Generation has a workout under jockey Zac Purton at Sha Tin ahead of Sunday's Longines Hong Kong Mile

"Classique Legend has had the Sprint as his target since his win in The Everest at Royal Randwick, when beating a field which featured seven individual Group 1 winners."

As Richard Cheung points out, attracting the best racehorses in the world is more important than beating them. "That's why we post such a large purse for the Hong Kong Vase of HK$20m (£1.9m) when our small racehorse population means our comparative strength is not at the staying distance [1m4f].

"Our strength is in the Sprint and the Mile, but the record shows overseas competitors are met by local talent that is more often than not their match.

"In 2018 Beauty Generation, Mr Stunning, Exultant and Glorious Forever made history for the home side in achieving a clean sweep of all four Group 1 events at a single HKIR for the first time."

From education to the elderly – the ten areas the HKJC supports through its Charities Trust

The HKJC in 2019/20 donated 96 per cent of its annual operating surplus to its Charities Trust which donated HK$4.5 billion (£400m) to 210 projects which, in addition to a focus on Covid-19, supported a wide range of social needs.

These cover ten areas: arts, culture and heritage; education and training; elderly services; emergency and poverty relief; environmental protection; family services; medical and health; rehabilitation services; sports and recreation; and youth development.

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes

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