The Hong Kong Jockey Club reported record handle of HK$101.83 billion (US$13 billion) for the 2013-14 season, an 8.5% increase year on year.
The “most remarkable and notable season in our 130-year history” is how the club’s chief executive described the nine months of racing that concluded 6th July and saw attendance exceed 2 million for the second consecutive year and was the first to feature co-mingled wagering in the United States.
Hong Kong pools are the largest in the world.
“Along with the outstanding achievements of our top horses at home and overseas, and the huge success of the 35th Asian Racing Conference here, we have seen the status of the sport in Hong Kong rise to a new height,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
“I think it is not by luck,” he added. “We had a very clear strategy that we had to invest, that we had to understand our customers better, and with this strategy and the significant investment we have made, we have been able to achieve this remarkable result.”
A crowd of almost 35,000 turned out at Sha Tin to witness the season finale. Total attendance on closing day, including Happy Valley Racecourse, was 38,680. Their combined handle of HK$1.77 billion was the highest single-day turnover in 17 years.
“Without doubt this has been the greatest season in the history of Hong Kong racing, both domestically and internationally,” said Executive Director Bill Nader. “For a little place we pack a big punch and I think the whole world understands that now.”
The 2014-15 season begins 14th September.
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