Friday, 18 July 2025 – The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) today announced that total racing wagering turnover for the 2024/25 season reached HK$138.85 billion (approximately £13.2 billion), marking a 3.0% increase over the previous season and signalling a robust return to growth for one of the world’s premier horse racing jurisdictions.

The season comprised 88 race meetings, including seven vibrant summer fixtures, with 847 Hong Kong races and 393 simulcast races from around the globe. The remarkable rise in turnover was primarily attributed to strategically optimised jackpot arrangements, impressive improvements in field sizes, the burgeoning success of sports tourism from Mainland China and other international markets, and the continued global triumph of Hong Kong’s World Pool Strategy, which firmly positions the city as a leading global centre of racing wagering excellence.

Commingling turnover, a testament to international engagement, reached a record HK$31.76 billion, an impressive increase of 10.1% year-on-year. This success saw the commingling programme expand significantly, now engaging 26 countries and over 70 partners worldwide. A particularly standout moment came at the auspicious Chinese New Year Raceday, where turnover surpassed HK$500 million for the very first time in its history, reflecting immense public enthusiasm.

Simulcast racing also expanded significantly, with an impressive 393 races broadcast, representing a substantial 7% increase from the previous year. Turnover from simulcasting (including the highly successful World Pool) rose to HK$13.11 billion, a solid 2.3% increase. The Club meticulously simulcast 71 races that have consistently featured in the prestigious International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ Top 100 Group/Grade 1 races within the past three years, showcasing the high quality of events on offer.

The innovative World Pool expanded its reach to include 296 races, an increase from 258, incorporating all 12 of the Club’s elite Group 1 events and introducing new races from New Zealand. Commingling turnover into the World Pool (excluding Club races) also saw a healthy increase of 8.4%.

Tourism Surge and Enhanced Racecourse Experience

Total attendance at Hong Kong racecourses exceeded an impressive 1.7 million visitors, including a new record of 195,786 tourists from Mainland China, more than doubling the previous year’s figure and highlighting the strong appeal of Hong Kong racing. Flagship racedays such as the vibrant Chinese New Year Raceday, the prestigious BMW Hong Kong Derby, and the celebrated FWD Champions Day each welcomed approximately 9,000 international tourists, underscoring their global attraction.

This remarkable surge in tourism was significantly supported by proactive government initiatives aimed at promoting racing tourism, coupled with a strategic and effective partnership between the Club and China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited. These collaborative efforts effectively boosted tourism within the dynamic Greater Bay Area, drawing more visitors to the racing events.

Significant upgrades were meticulously implemented to further enhance racegoers’ experiences, including the introduction of cutting-edge digital entertainment options and new, sophisticated dining venues at Happy Valley (The Beat and Vantage), alongside comprehensively revamped hospitality spaces at Sha Tin. The Club’s renowned Happy Wednesday events, a weekly highlight, continued to draw massive crowds, with 548,000 attendees, representing a notable increase of 3.9% year-on-year.

Star Horses Shine on Global Stage

Hong Kong’s burgeoning reputation as a producer of world-class equine talent soared to new heights with the exceptional performances of star horses like Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior, and Voyage Bubble. These magnificent athletes collectively secured an astounding 11 Group 1 victories, demonstrating their dominance on the international stage.

• Ka Ying Rising: Crowned the undisputed world’s top sprinter, this remarkable horse won an incredible eight races in a single season, marking the third-most in Hong Kong history. He also shattered two 1200m course records at Sha Tin and impressively completed the challenging Hong Kong Speed Series to earn a substantial HK$5 million bonus, solidifying his legendary status.
• Romantic Warrior: This phenomenal steed became the first Hong Kong-trained horse to achieve the extraordinary feat of winning Group 1 races in four diverse jurisdictions: Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and Dubai. He concluded the season as joint-fourth in the prestigious LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, a true global champion.
• Voyage Bubble: A true legend in the making, Voyage Bubble triumphantly completed the highly coveted Hong Kong Triple Crown, becoming the first horse to achieve this incredible milestone in 31 years, a feat that matches the legendary River Verdon, etching his name into racing history.

In total, an impressive 12 Hong Kong-trained horses earned international ratings of 115 or higher. This remarkable achievement powerfully showcases the city’s elite racing standard and the exceptional quality of its equine athletes, despite operating with a relatively small horse population compared to other major racing nations.

Top professionals within the industry also reached new heights of achievement. Esteemed trainer John Size secured a record-breaking 13th trainers’ title, a testament to his consistent excellence. Simultaneously, star jockey Zac Purton claimed his eighth jockeys’ championship, further cementing his dominance, while also sensationally breaking the all-time Hong Kong wins record, a truly historic accomplishment.

Prize Money Boost and Future Plans

In a strong recognition of the unparalleled strength and growing prominence of Hong Kong’s vibrant racing scene, the Club has announced a significant initiative: it will notably increase prize money for its flagship Group 1 races in the upcoming 2025/26 season. This strategic boost will elevate the total prize money to a record HK$208 million, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a lucrative racing destination. Key races set to receive substantial increases include the highly anticipated FWD QEII Cup, the thrilling Chairman’s Sprint Prize, the iconic Hong Kong Sprint, and the prestigious Hong Kong Vase.

Meanwhile, comprehensive preparations are continuing for a truly landmark moment anticipated in 2026: the highly anticipated launch of international-standard race meetings at Conghua Racecourse. With its state-of-the-art modern training and rehabilitation facilities already significantly contributing to an impressive 17.7% rise in wins by horses trained there, Conghua is strategically poised to emerge as a third world-class racing venue within the dynamic Greater Bay Area, complementing the esteemed existing facilities at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.

A Season to Remember

Reflecting on what has been a truly record-breaking and momentous season, HKJC Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges enthusiastically stated:

“The contribution of Conghua Racecourse to horse training and care has been nothing short of remarkable. But with the start of international-standard racing in October 2026, Conghua, and the Club, will enter a whole new era. Our aim is to make Conghua a truly iconic and must-go destination, a place not only to enjoy the best racing but also to be truly inspired about all forms of horse sports. There will be an experience centre featuring cutting-edge audio-visuals to engage visitors with an appreciation of the horse and there will be retail, dining and online experiences, all integrated with our racing. We want to make Conghua a truly memorable day out for everyone who visits.”

With impressive racing growth, increasing international acclaim, and a significant surge in tourism all converging, the 2024/25 season has profoundly reaffirmed Hong Kong’s undisputed place at the pinnacle of global horse racing. The journey continues into a bold new era, marked by unprecedented opportunities and continued innovation ahead.