Hong Kong Jockey Club posts record £47.8m in overseas turnover at HKIR
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has reported a record HK$473.8 million (approximately £47.8m) in overseas commingled turnover from the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, held on Sunday 8 December.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has confirmed record betting turnover from this year’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), staged at Sha Tin on Sunday 8 December.
Overseas commingling turnover reached HK$473.8 million, around £47.8m, marking a 10 percent rise on last year’s meeting and a new high for the event. Total turnover on the day hit HK$1,716.3 million, roughly £173m, while attendance reached 69,916, the largest HKIR crowd since 2018.
Record-breaking action on the track
The meeting delivered notable results across its four Group One contests. Ka Ying Rising took the Hong Kong Sprint and Voyage Bubble won the Hong Kong Mile, while Giavellotto secured victory in the Hong Kong Vase, giving Great Britain its first win in that race since 2012. In the Hong Kong Cup, Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior became the first horse to win the race three times, pushing his career prizemoney to HK$177 million (about £17.9m) and setting a new world record, surpassing the previous mark held by Golden Sixty.
Club leadership hails milestone meeting
HKJC Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the meeting as among the best in the club’s history, pointing to strong performances from both Hong Kong-trained and overseas runners. He said feedback from international owners had been positive regardless of finishing position, citing the overall experience of competing in Hong Kong.
Engelbrecht-Bresges credited the club’s approach of promoting Hong Kong racing internationally, noting that this year’s races were run for the first time under the World Pool banner. He said the strategy had proven successful in raising the profile of Hong Kong’s racing product overseas.
He also thanked international and local owners, trainers, jockeys and club staff for their role in the event, adding that overseas participation was essential to sustaining HKIR as a global fixture.
The release was issued by Square in the Air on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.