The Hong Kong Jockey Club has produced another record-breaking season in 2021/22, with turnover of HK$140 billion (US$17.8 billion) representing a 3% increase over 2020/21.
Despite facing multiple COVID-19 challenges throughout the year, including a majority of meets being held without crowds, HKJC hosted 836 races and simulcast 281 overseas races with betting duty of HK$14.1 billion (US$1.80 billion) representing a 2.8% year-on-year increase. The total turnover of Saturday’s season finale meeting reached HK$2.04 billion (US$260 million), HKJC revealed.
“I am extremely proud of the efforts of all involved that, with the trust of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in giving us permission to continue racing, we have again been able to complete a full season of world-class horse racing while at all times upholding the principle of protecting the health and safety of the public, our employees and stakeholders,” said HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
“As a Club, we are again grateful and encouraged by the outstanding turnover which ultimately allows us to contribute more for the betterment of our society.
“We are gratified once more by the collective discipline and togetherness of all participants – trainers, jockeys, owners, employees and customers – which has allowed us to continue showcasing Hong Kong’s most popular sport to the world.
“As always, Hong Kong’s ‘can-do’ spirit is at the core of our operation and I am thankful for the sacrifices made by all involved to keeping racing going. Through the collective efforts of our participants and Club staff, combined with our dedicated COVID testing capacity as well as a vigorous tracking and tracing system, we were able to provide exciting stay-at-home entertainment for hundreds of thousands of racing fans at a time when social distancing was integral to the health and welfare of our city.
“It remains our abiding ambition that, as soon as possible, we are able to return to normality and we can welcome back all of our customers to Sha Tin and Happy Valley.”
The HKJC’s 2021/22 results included local race turnover of HK$129.9 billion (US$16.5 billion), up 0.5% year-on-year, while the World Pool simulcast grew 13% to HK$1.76 billion (US$224 million).
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