THAT'S A WRAP - AND WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG, THE BEST RACING PRECINCT ON THE PLANET

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 9, 2024

I spoke briefly last year about famous trios.
Let me identify possibly the most infamous trio of wizards in recent times – Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter series.

This year I watched the wizardry on the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) where there was a supreme effort and result by Hong Kong that was witnessed by an international crowd.

The crowd numbered more than 70,000 at Sha Tin on Sunday. They love their sport – they love their champions and are passionate about horse racing. Most of all they love the competition and the theatre on the racetrack that this amazing amphitheatre at Sha Tin creates.

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) saw three Hong Kong based “WIZARDS” win again on the biggest day of international racing in Hong Kong.

The first win was Ka Ying Rising won the LONGINES HKIR Sprint. Then in a slashing performance Voyage Bubble won the LONGINES HKIR Mile, whilst Romantic Warrior put up a mesmorising effort to win the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

Look at these three “Wizards” of Hong Kong racing presently – they have won 12 Group 1 races now between them – impressive - whilst Romantic Warrior has become the highest earner of prize money accumulating HK$177.3 million to surpass recently retired champion Hong Kong miler Golden Sixty.

They are each rated in the top 10 in the world in the latest thoroughbred global rankings that were updated after the HKIR races at Sha Tin. This precinct continues to thrive under very astute management from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).

The Hong Kong Jockey Club presides over a racing precinct that is second to none. The amenities, the entertainment, and the way they engage with the public and punters. The venues are superb, the action on and off the track vibrant.

Tourism is alive and well in Hong Kong and the HJKC are a vital cog in this windfall of revenue to the Hong Kong precinct.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges did pay his respects at the media conference to end the Carnival saying, “This is one of the greatest organizations, which not only produces world class sport, but it also has a tremendous purpose and makes Hong Kong proud”.

Andrew Harding, the Executive Director of Racing paid tribute to his hard-working team across all facets of the business – who I have said have thrived all week to produce amazing entertainment for all patrons.

I think he summed it up best when he summarised the LONGINES HKIR day with, “Well it doesn’t get any better than that. It was an amazing day of sport, capping an amazing week of sport.

"Of the many things that we work as a Jockey Club is to contribute to Hong Kong this is one that is dear to our heart – putting Hong Kong on the world stage!”

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and your amazing team, please take a bow!

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