China Footprint: Horse racing continues to thrive in Hong Kong

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Horse racing has a long and vibrant history in Hong Kong, with a status among the most popular past times in the territory - but does the sport still have that level of success now that Hong Kong has returned to China?

For many, it's seen as a barometer of whether the "One Country, Two Systems" concept has been successful. Now, 20 years after Hong Kong’s return, is horse racing on the decline? Or, is the age-old tradition still alive and kicking?

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, with over 7.3 million people are living, working, and striving for a better life in this concrete jungle.

Among them, Wong Ka Chai is a minivan driver, who works at least 10 hours a day and six days a week.

Today is special for Wong because it’s Wednesday: Horse racing night. And that means Wong is free to unwind. "Horse racing is so much fun. Hong Kongers are so stressed but we can get all that stress out at the horse races. Watching and shouting… just makes you happy,” said Wong.

Happy Valley Racecourse at the heart of Hong Kong Island. /VCG photo

Speed, passion, and luck. All three combine, sending a rush of adrenaline in the air at the Happy Valley Racecourse, in the heart of Hong Kong island, on this Wednesday night.

Wong placed a 200 Hong Kong dollar bet on horse number 9. And it appears that lady luck is on his side today, as the horse won five times his stake. But he was relatively calm about the prize.

"A few hundred bucks is enough to make you happy. After winning, I usually have dinner with my family. Betting on the horses won't make you rich. I just consider it as a small bonus."

It isn't just about gambling, it's also a cultural experience for tourists.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the CEO of Hong Kong Jockey Club, a wildly successful horse racing operator, said the sport is like the city's heartbeat. "Hong Kong racing reflects the lifestyle of Hong Kong, It's fast, it's competitive, it's resilient. And that is why I think Hong Kong racing is so popular."

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. /CGTN Photo

HKJC used to be called the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club before Great Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997. Horse racing is illegal on the Chinese mainland, and 20 years ago many people in Hong Kong feared that horse racing would change, or be banned outright, under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

But according to Winfried, the industry is more successful now than ever. "I came here on April 1, 1998. Twenty years ago, Hong Kong racing was more regional in sporting quality. But now, we're one of the global leaders in the racing world," he said.

For Wong, who has been placing bets on horses for over 20 years, the thrill of going to the races hasn't changed - and he insists he’ll continue this hobby for the next 20 years.

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