HK SEPT 1 - CARNIVAL DAY WHETS THE APPETITE OF RACEGOERS A WEEK OUT FROM START OF SEASON

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Saturday, September 1, 2012

A total of 9,400 adults and children enjoyed family fun, educational moments and racing-themed entertainment at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse today.

The annual event is traditionally held one week before the start of the Hong Kong racing season’s opening fixture.

This year’s carnival offered a large variety of on-course activities. Stable visits gave carnival-goers the chance to look behind the scenes and the ever-popular Shetland Ponies were on hand for youngsters to experience horse grooming and petting.

Once again, the day’s highlight was the annual Jockeys’ Sprint as Hong Kong’s stars of the saddle raced one another on foot over 100m in front of the grandstand.

After a thrilling contest, it was the new Club Jockey Richard Fourie who secured his first win of the new season and collected a HK$5,000 cheque and a trophy from Mr William A Nader, the Club’s Executive Director, Racing.

Jacky Tong filled the runner-up spot and collected a trophy and a cheque for HK$3,000, while Olivier Doleuze crossed the line in third place and was presented with a trophy and a cheque for HK$2,000.

Shortly before the Jockeys’ Sprint, a celebration ceremony gave the crowd an opportunity to applaud Jockey Matthew Chadwick’s achievement in winning the Silver Saddle award, against some of the world’s top stars, at the Shergar Cup at Ascot, England on August 11.

The rider, a product of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School, received a commemorative Silver Saddle trophy from Club CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. The trophy was specially commissioned by the Club.

In return, Chadwick presented souvenir framed photos to the CEO as a gesture of thanks to the Club for its support and nurture over the years.

The evening barrier trials brought the event to an exciting close as attendees were given the opportunity to experience the power and speed of racehorses in motion during six legs staged on the turf.

The on-track action offered a taste of the exciting entertainment to come at the 2012/13 season opener at Sha Tin next Saturday, 8 September.

More articles