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The Guangdong Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (“GDDARA”) and the Environment and Ecology Bureau (“EEB”) of the HKSAR Government held a Guangdong-Hong Kong Equine Industry Collaboration Task Force meeting today (29 November) in Guangzhou, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) participating as an expert member
During the meeting, the Club signed an agreement with the Guangdong Vocational Institute of Sport ("GDVIS") to collaborate in nurturing racing talent. The initiative is part of the Club's vision to develop a world-class horse sports and equine industry Hub in the Greater Bay Area ("GBA").
Director General of Guangdong Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Liu Zonghui and HKSAR Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food) Vivian Lau convened the Task Force meeting. They said that cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong in equine industry development is progressing smoothly and has achieved fruitful results as reflected in four areas: the maintenance of the Conghua Equine Disease Free Zone, improvement in the cross-border horse movement mechanism, construction of key projects, and training of veterinarians and racing talent.
The Club's Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam reported working progress and achievements at the meeting. The Club has taken forward the promotion of equine industry development in the GBA, including preparations to fully implement international-standard racing on a regular basis at Conghua Racecourse ("CRC") from 2026. In support, the second-phase development of CRC is underway, including the construction of an iconic new grandstand, stable facilities and staff accommodation. The Club has also promoted equine talent training, professional veterinary development and equine sports development to build a comprehensive equine value chain in the GBA.
Under the "School Partnership Collaborative Agreement" signed by the Club and GDVIS, both parties will collaborate to provide professional racing training to nurture Mainland racing talent, which is essential for equine industry development.
The dual-curriculum programme, comprising academic and vocational training, will recruit Mainland students aged 15 to 16 who exhibit the potential to become apprentice jockeys or work riders. The programme is structured to provide recruits with well-rounded equine-industry training in areas such as riding, stable management, horsemanship and sports science, as well as whole-person development, to nurture the skills and qualities required by aspiring sports professionals.
Each year the programme will admit 15 to 25 students, who will receive a recognised qualification from government-run higher education institutions and a Certificate in Racing (Hong Kong Qualification Framework Level 3) upon graduation. Students currently studying at GDVIS are also eligible to apply.
HKSAR Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food) Vivian Lau said she hopes that future cooperation between the Club and GDVIS will boost the professional development of the equine industry in Guangdong and Hong Kong and offer more employment and development opportunities for young people in the GBA.
The Club's Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding said: "Talent development is one of the key areas highlighted in the Cooperation Agreement on Guangdong-Hong Kong Equine Industry Development. Today marks an important milestone in this area as the Club and GDVIS jointly launch a groundbreaking school-enterprise collaboration to nurture future racing talent, allowing us to strive together and integrate the equine industry into education."
The Club's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam expressed his gratitude for the authorities' steadfast support for equine industry development in the GBA. The governments' joint establishment of a Guangdong-Hong Kong Cross-Border Horse Movement Coordination Mechanism and agreement in principle to set up a new biosecurity passage was highly appreciated, he said. The measures will safeguard the continued safe and smooth transport of racehorses.
He added, "The Club has always contributed to the Greater Bay Area and the nation's equine industry development, leveraging its professional knowledge, extensive experience and international network. In addition to nurturing talent, the Club is actively implementing a number of different projects, including an international equine development centre in Conghua, professional veterinary development, and other initiatives, to realise the shared vision of establishing a world-class equine sports and industry centre in the Greater Bay Area."
The Guangdong-Hong Kong Equine Industry Collaboration Task Force was set up in 2021 under a Cooperation Agreement signed by the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments on Equine Industry Development. The Club and the Guangzhou Municipal Government also signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement on the same day, outlining three main areas of cooperation: introduction of an international-standard regular racing programme at CRC; enhancement of CRC's infrastructure and operational capacity; and development of a full-fledged equine value chain in the GBA.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors.
