Hong Kong Jockey Club Delays Mainland Racing Debut at Conghua Racecourse

Conghua Regular Racing Pushed Back

The organization will stage a milestone race meeting on October 31, according to reporting by the South China Morning Post.

The decision to postpone regular mainland racing comes alongside record financial results for the club. Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the broader period as a challenging and fast-changing environment.

Record Turnover and Commingling Growth

Turnover for the 2025-26 racing season reached HK$143.31 billion. That figure represents a 3.2 per cent increase over the previous term.

Commingling turnover also hit a record HK$34.4 billion, climbing 8.3 per cent. Meanwhile, World Pool commingling grew by a substantial 27.7 per cent.

October Showcase at 150-Hectare Facility

Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the upcoming October 31 meeting at the 150-hectare Conghua facility will serve as a prominent showcase.

There will be no betting on the Conghua races. However, the club plans to feature competitive team racing and entertainment events.

The venue functions as part of China’s National Equine Industry Development Plan. Engelbrecht-Bresges stated that the October event will demonstrate that Conghua operates as both a state-of-the-art training center and a facility capable of hosting world-class racing on the mainland.

Surging Tourism and Expanded Simulcast Offerings

Visitor numbers to Hong Kong racecourses surged during the season. This growth was driven by a significant influx of tourists from mainland China and overseas.

The venues welcomed 401,259 visitors. That total is more than double the prior year’s figure and four times the total recorded for the 2023-24 season.

Engelbrecht-Bresges emphasized the economic impact of the sport, stating that racing tourism remains an important pillar of local tourism development. To counter illegal gambling on overseas racing, the club also expanded simulcast offerings, which generated a 23.5 per cent increase in turnover to reach HK$16.2 billion.

Historic Equine Achievements Define the Calendar

On-track achievements defined the racing calendar. The season was highlighted by the performances of top gallopers Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior.

Both horses shared the joint Horse of the Year title at the Champion Awards. Ka Ying Rising secured an unblemished campaign that featured a victory in Australia’s A$20 million The Everest, alongside breaking a 21-year-old local record by securing 17 consecutive wins.

Meanwhile, Romantic Warrior maintained a top-two position in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings throughout much of the season.