27-1046: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards are given annually by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to the outstanding horses and people in Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse racing . The most prestigious award for horses is Hong Kong Horse of the Year . The equivalent in Australia is the Australian Thoroughbred racing awards , in Canada the Sovereign Awards , in the United States the Eclipse Awards , in Japan
54-474: A healthy and vibrant lifestyle. Today, the Charities Trust contributes across various areas of social needs and focuses on five strategic areas: Positive Ageing & Elderly Care, Youth Development & Poverty Alleviation, Healthy Community, Talent & Sector Development, and Sports & Culture. Over the past decade, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated an average of HK$ 5 billion
81-535: A value of at least 10,000 Hong Kong Dollars are eligible for a 10% rebate if the bet or betline loses. Pool Name – Dividend Qualification – Consolation [if any] Membership in this club is very strict, limited to the moneyed social elite. In the past, this club was reserved for only "old money" families; but currently there are increasing numbers of "newly rich" members. Similar to other elite clubs, HKJC membership applicants often must wait for years if not decades to be accepted. What makes it especially difficult to join
108-457: A year to the community. In 2022/2023, its total approved donations were HK$ 7.3 billion, benefiting 247 charity and community projects. The Charities Trust’s substantial donations to the community are made possible by The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s unique integrated business model, which comprises racing and racecourse entertainment, responsible sports wagering and lottery, a membership club, and charities and community contribution. Approximately 90% of
135-435: Is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. Founded in 1884 as an amateur body to promote horse racing , it was an exclusive club whose membership was drawn from the upper class with strict rules of membership, with women and people of unsuitable background being banned. This led to the club having no Chinese members until the 20th century. The club evolved into a professional institution from 1971. The club organised
162-447: Is that this club does not allow memberships to be bought and sold in the secondary market. For joining racing membership, one has to be proposed by a voting member and seconded by another voting member, with the support of three other members. For joining full membership, one has to be proposed by a voting member. Note that if a interested person is not yet a racing member, applications to be racing member and full member must be made at
189-683: The JRA Awards and in Europe , the Cartier Racing Awards . Current awards: Hong Kong Jockey Club The Hong Kong Jockey Club ( HKJC ) was founded in 1884 and is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong . In 1960, it was granted a royal charter and renamed The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club ( 英皇御准香港賽馬會 ). The institution reverted to its original name in 1996 due to the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. Membership of
216-550: The New Territories . It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club . Penfold Park is encircled by the track, and the Hong Kong Sports Institute is located immediately south of the property. Michael Jackson planned to perform at the racecourse on his Dangerous World Tour , which was the start of the third leg, but was cancelled due to the conflict of the racing season. It was built in 1978 (under
243-617: The trophy in the 1,200-metre dash. In January 2008, Eclipse and Sovereign Award winning jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson became the first North American female rider to be granted a license to compete in Hong Kong. The reform and other changes mentioned above, the HKJC revenue has steadily increased back to previous levels and above. The total racing revenue for the Racing Season 2011/2012 reached HK$ 86.1 billion, up 43.4% since
270-483: The 1,200 metre dash. Originally built with a 35,000-capacity grandstand, it now has two grandstands with a total capacity of 85,000. It also has 20 stables for a capacity of 1,260 horses. Other features include: Track Specifications: The racecourse is served by Racecourse station of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). The station is only used on racing days. There are also several bus routes. One of
297-411: The 2006 reform. The HKJC has a legal monopoly over betting on horse racing and football. In 1974, it opened 6 off-course branches where the members of the public could wager on horse race meets at the club's Happy Valley racecourse. There are now in excess of 100 betting branches throughout the territory that accept bets on racing and football, as well as buy Mark Six lottery tickets. The HKJC
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#1732794478451324-534: The Club’s annual operating surplus after tax is donated to its Charities Trust, enabling it to play a significant role in the community’s development. The Happy Valley Racecourse occupies a 92,000 m plot of land on Inland Lot 8847, under a government-subsidized Private Recreational Lease. The lease began in 1884 and currently is set to expire on 23 June 2034. Hong Kong Free Press in September 2021 claimed that
351-611: The Jockey Club has broken its earlier promise to return the land at the Happy Valley Racecourse in exchange for land in Shatin. In August 2024, news reported that the Jockey Club would convert some land it leased cheaply from the government (HK$ 84,600 per year) to build and sell private residences with high potential profit, with one researcher saying that such a plan was unfair and that "The government has leased
378-715: The administration of Sir David Akers-Jones , the then-Secretary for the New Territories) on reclaimed land and is the larger of the two tracks in Hong Kong . The course has 474 races per season including: On 9 September 2007, the Sha Tin track opened for the 2007 season with an opening day record of about 60,000. Chief Secretary Henry Tang struck the ceremonial gong . The Hong Kong Jockey Club collected US$ 106 million in bets (the highest since 2001). Children of horse owners were admitted amid protest of local anti-gambling groups. Sunny Power , booted by Howard Cheng won in
405-452: The annual races which took place around Chinese New Year and was initially financed by commissions on bets which were placed through private clubs. Queen Elizabeth II accorded the club with a royal charter in 1960, and it became The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club ( 英皇御准香港賽馬會 ) until 1996. In July 2005, the decision was made to stage equestrian competitions of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Hong Kong. The club's racing centre at Sha Tin
432-468: The betting turnover was HK$ 71 billion. After paying dividends of 58 billion and betting duty of 9.5 billion, its betting commission revenue was HK$ 3.9 billion. It contributes 11.7% of Hong Kong's tax revenue. Surpluses from its operation are allocated to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Following the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong , the popularity of horse racing declined substantially, possibly due to economic conditions in
459-563: The city's major employers. In 2022/2023, The Hong Kong Jockey Club contributed a record HK$ 35.9 billion to the community. This comprised a record HK$ 28.6 billion in betting duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions, and HK$ 7.3 billion in approved charity donations. The club also proactively identifies, funds and develops projects which anticipate and address social issues and pressing needs in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Jockey Club also provides dining, social, sport and recreation facilities to its approximately 23,000 members. Its Charities Trust
486-492: The club is by nomination and election. It is a non-profit organisation providing horse racing , sporting and betting entertainment in Hong Kong . It holds a government-granted monopoly in providing pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, the Mark Six lottery , and fixed odds betting on overseas football events. The organisation is the largest taxpayer in Hong Kong, as well as the largest community benefactor and one of
513-620: The land to them at a very favourable price. It is not reasonable for them to profit fully from it." The role of Chief Executive Officer was first known as the General Manager. Major-General Bernard Penfold was appointed as the club's first General Manager in 1972. Sha Tin Racecourse Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong . It is located in Sha Tin in
540-515: The move would "destroy" its business model and jeopardize public interest. In February 2023, after Financial Secretary Paul Chan increased football betting taxes, Chan said "They can have their reactions, and we will do what we have to do." The HKJC conducts nearly 700 horse races per year at its two race tracks at Sha Tin (沙田) and Happy Valley (快活谷). During the 2001/02 racing season, the HKJC licensed 1,144 horse owners, 24 trainers and 35 jockeys and had 1,435 horses in training. In 2002–2003,
567-703: The region. On 16 March 2007, the HKJC appointed William (Bill) Nader, formerly with the New York Racing Association , as its executive director of racing from April 2007. On 9 September 2007, Sha Tin Racecourse opened after its summer break with record 1-day crowd of about 60,000. Chief Secretary Henry Tang struck the ceremonial gong . The Hong Kong Jockey Club collected US$ 106 million in bets (highest since 2001). Children of horse owners were admitted amid protest of local anti-gambling groups. Sunny Power , booted by Howard Cheng, got
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#1732794478451594-520: The same time if one is intended to be full member. As of 30 June 2022, the joining fee for racing membership is HK$ 150,000 whereas that for full membership is HK$ 850,000. Monthly fee is HK$ 850 and HK$ 2,550 respectively. In September 2021, the club terminated several memberships, including those of Martin Lee , Jimmy Lai , and Albert Ho . The Hong Kong Jockey Club can trace its long tradition of donating to charitable causes back to at least 1915, but it
621-865: Was also instrumental in persuading other members of the Asian Racing Federation to sign the Good Neighbour policy on 1 September 2003. In 2006, after years of declining turnover, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the Betting Ordinance (Amendment) 2006. This amendment granted the Hong Kong Jockey Club more autonomy in how it ran its own operations. Pool Name – Dividend Qualification As of September 2006, all Win, Place, Quinella, and Quinella Place bets (including All Up bets) of
648-599: Was established, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust , to reflect the evolving nature, scale and scope of donations. The Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors. Over many years, the Club has established its position as a major social partner in fostering a caring and inclusive community in Hong Kong. It accomplishes this through donations made to its community partners via The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; various Trust-initiated projects; and by organising its own events that allow people to experience
675-400: Was in the 1950s , as Hong Kong struggled to cope with post-war reconstruction and a massive influx of immigrants, that this role became integral to its operation. In 1955, the Club formally decided to devote its surplus each year to charity and community projects, and in 1959, a separate company, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (Charities) Ltd, was formed to administer donations. In 1993, a new entity
702-480: Was instrumental in persuading the Hong Kong government to pass the Gambling (Amendment) Bill 2002 to combat unauthorised cross-border gambling and the related promotional activities in Hong Kong, making it a criminal offence for any person in Hong Kong to bet with an unauthorised bookmaker, even when the bets are received outside Hong Kong. The offence applies to all visitors as well as to residents of Hong Kong. It
729-556: Was used as the foundation for the Olympic and Paralympic venues, with additional competition and training venues being incorporated into existing sports facilities at the Hong Kong Sports Institute , the Jockey Club Beas River Country Club and the adjacent golf course. In January 2023, after Regina Ip proposed increasing taxes on the Jockey Club's football betting revenue, the Jockey Club said that
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