Hong Kong and Macau Horse Racing Season Kicks Off with Record-Breaking Attendance

Release date: 2024-09-08 18:22

Guangdong

The highly anticipated horse racing season in Hong Kong and Macau has officially begun, attracting a record-breaking crowd of over 47,000 visitors on its opening day. The Jockey Club reported a significant increase in betting amounts, reaching nearly 1.33 billion yuan, an 8.6% rise from last year’s figures.

A New Record for the Opening Day

The Sha Tin Racecourse hosted ten exciting races, with the first one commencing at 1 pm. Enthusiastic fans arrived two hours prior to the event, eager to secure their spots and kick-start their luck. Ms. Feng, a local fan, expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m happy if I win a few dozen dollars. If I lose, I’ll treat it as a charity. It doesn’t matter, just have fun.”

Tourists Flock to Experience the Horse Racing Culture

The event also drew in numerous tourists, including Mr. Zhang from Shandong, who stated, “This is my first time, and I want to feel the horse racing culture here in Hong Kong and experience the passion of horse racing.” Ms. Wang, a Malaysian tourist, added, “We grew up watching TVB. Some people believe that Hong Kong people like to bet on horses. They will read horse racing books, bet on horses, and watch horse racing, so we came to see it.”

Diversified Experiences and Animation Collaborations

The racecourse offered various stalls, providing a unique experience for attendees. For the first time, the event collaborated with animation works, attracting tourists like Mr. Wu from Guangzhou, who exclaimed, “I’m quite excited and happy. I like this theme. It’s my first time to see real horse racing and feel the atmosphere of the scene.”

Chief Executive Cup and Suggestions from Fans

Chief Executive John Lee and the newly re-elected Chairman of the Jockey Club, Li Zihou, presided over the opening ceremony. The third race, the Chief Executive Cup, saw Purton ride “Jia Ying Gao Sheng” to victory. Fans offered suggestions for improvement, including Mr. Liang’s proposal to provide more discounts and distribute coupons, while Mr. Ho recommended inviting more singers and stars to perform and optimizing the audience seats.

Upcoming Night Race at Happy Valley Racecourse

The first night race of the new season is scheduled to take place at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday.