Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Company type	Non-profit organization
Industry	Horse racing, betting, lottery
Founded	1884
Headquarters	Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Area served	Hong Kong
Key people	William (Bill) Nader (executive director of racing, appointed 2007)
Products	Horse racing, pari-mutuel betting, Mark Six lottery, fixed-odds wagering on football

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), founded in 1884, ranks among the oldest organizations in Hong Kong. It received a royal charter in 1960, adopting the title The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (), which it relinquished in 1996 ahead of the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. Membership is determined through a process of nomination and election.

Operating as a non-profit entity, the HKJC enjoys an exclusive government-sanctioned monopoly over pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, the Mark Six lottery, and fixed-odds wagering on international football matches. It stands as Hong Kong’s largest taxpayer, a significant employer, and a prominent contributor to community welfare. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, the club donated a record HK$35.9 billion to society—comprising HK$28.6 billion from betting duties, profits tax, and contributions from the Lotteries Fund, alongside HK$7.3 billion allocated to charitable causes. Beyond funding social initiatives within Hong Kong, the club provides approximately 23,000 members with access to dining, social, sporting, and recreational amenities. Its Charities Trust is recognized globally among the top ten philanthropic donors.

History

Initially established in 1884 as an amateur organization promoting horse racing, membership was originally reserved for the elite class, excluding women and many Chinese individuals until changes occurred during the 20th century.

By 1971, it had evolved into a professional body, hosting annual races around Chinese New Year supported by commissions earned from bets placed through private clubs.

The royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1960 introduced the "Royal" prefix to its name; this was removed in 1996.

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics hosted in Hong Kong, the HKJC’s Sha Tin racing facility was chosen in 2005 as the base for equestrian events.

In early 2023, when proposals emerged to raise taxes on football betting revenues, the club cautioned that such increases would undermine its business framework and negatively impact public welfare. Nevertheless, later that year Financial Secretary Paul Chan proceeded with raising football betting taxes, affirming that government policies would advance regardless of the club’s objections.

Racing activities

The HKJC conducts close to 700 horse races annually at its two venues: Sha Tin (沙田) and Happy Valley (快活谷). During the 2001/02 season, there were 1,144 licensed horse owners, 24 trainers, and 35 jockeys involved with a total of 1,435 horses under training.

Betting turnover reached HK$71 billion in 2002–2003. After distributing HK$58 billion in dividends and paying HK$9.5 billion in betting duty, commission income amounted to HK$3.9 billion. The HKJC accounts for approximately 11.7% of Hong Kong’s total tax revenue, with surplus funds directed to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Following Hong Kong’s sovereignty transition, interest in horse racing waned due to broader economic factors affecting the region.

On 16 March 2007, William (Bill) Nader—formerly affiliated with the New York Racing Association—was appointed executive director of racing.

Sha Tin Racecourse resumed operations on 9 September 2007 after its summer hiatus, drawing a record attendance near 60,000 spectators. Chief Secretary Henry Tang initiated proceedings by striking the ceremonial gong as HKJC recorded US$106 million in bets—the highest figure since 2001. Despite protests from anti-gambling advocates, children of horse owners were permitted entry. The 1,200-metre race was won by Sunny Power, ridden by Howard Cheng.

In January 2008, jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, an Eclipse and Sovereign Award recipient from North America, became the first female rider licensed to compete professionally in Hong Kong.

Following various reforms and strategic adjustments, HKJC’s revenue demonstrated consistent growth. By Racing Season 2011/2012, total revenue had climbed to HK$86.1 billion—a rise of 43.4% compared to figures prior to reforms implemented in 2006.

Betting and Legal Framework

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) maintains an exclusive legal right to conduct betting activities on horse racing and football within Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 1974, the Club has expanded from just six off-course betting outlets to more than 100 locations throughout the region, providing wagering services on horse races, football matches, and distributing Mark Six lottery tickets.

The HKJC was instrumental in supporting the Gambling (Amendment) Bill 2002, which made it illegal to place bets with unauthorized bookmakers in Hong Kong, applying to both locals and visitors. Additionally, the Club influenced the Asian Racing Federation’s adoption of the Good Neighbour policy in 2003, aimed at addressing cross-border gambling challenges.

Revisions to Horse Racing Betting in 2006

Due to decreasing betting turnover, the Hong Kong Legislative Council enacted the Betting Ordinance (Amendment) 2006, which provided the HKJC with enhanced operational independence.

Single-race Betting Options

Pool Type – Criteria for Dividend

Win () – Awarded for finishing first.
Place () – Pays out for finishing first to third in races with seven or more starters; first or second if fewer runners.
Quinella () – Correctly selecting the first two finishers in any order.
Quinella Place (位置Q) – Selecting any two of the top three finishers.
Trio (單T) – Choosing the top three finishers in any sequence.
Forecast () – Predicting first and second place in exact order.
Tierce () – Correctly picking the top three finishers in exact order.
First Four () – Selecting any four of the top four finishers. (Now merged with Quartet)
Quartet () – Predicting the top four finishers in precise order. (Now merged with First Four)

Starting September 2006, losing bets on Win, Place, Quinella, and Quinella Place valued at HKD 10,000 or above are eligible for a 10% rebate.

Multiple-race Betting Options

Pool Type – Dividend Criteria – Consolation Conditions [if applicable]

Double () – Selecting winners of two specified races; a consolation prize is awarded if the bettor picks first place in the first race and second place in the second race.
Treble () – Choosing winners of three designated races; a consolation applies when the selections win the first two legs but come second in the third.
Double Trio (孖T) – Correctly selecting first, second, and third place in any order for both legs.
Triple Trio (三T) – Picking the top three finishers in any order across three legs; a consolation prize is given if selections are correct for the first two legs but not the final leg.
Six Up () – Selecting horses finishing first or second in each nominated leg; a bonus applies if all selections win their respective races.

Fixed-odds Betting

Jockey Challenge () – Wagering on which jockey will perform best during a race meeting.

Exclusive Social Membership

Membership to the Club is highly selective and predominantly reserved for Hong Kong’s upper social strata. Traditionally dominated by families of longstanding wealth, it now also includes individuals from newly affluent backgrounds. Prospective members often face lengthy waiting periods that can span years or even decades since memberships are neither transferable nor available for purchase on any secondary market.

To obtain racing membership, an applicant must be proposed by a voting member and seconded by another, along with endorsements from three additional members. For full membership, candidates require nomination by a voting member; applicants without racing membership seeking full membership must apply for both concurrently.

As of June 2022, initiation fees stand at HK$150,000 for racing membership and HK$850,000 for full membership. Monthly subscription fees are HK$850 and HK$2,550 respectively.

In September 2021, memberships held by prominent individuals such as Martin Lee, Jimmy Lai, and Albert Ho were revoked by the Club.

Charitable Endeavors

The philanthropic initiatives of the Hong Kong Jockey Club trace back to at least 1915, with formal organization emerging during the 1950s as Hong Kong was rebuilding after World War II. In 1955, the Club began allocating its annual surpluses to charitable causes; by 1959, it had founded Hong Kong Jockey Club (Charities) Ltd to administer its donations. The establishment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in 1993 marked a significant expansion of its charitable scope, positioning it among the globe’s leading ten donors.

The Charities Trust concentrates its support on five primary focus areas: Positive Ageing & Elderly Care, Youth Development & Poverty Alleviation, Healthy Community, Talent & Sector Development, and Sports & Culture. Over the last ten years, it has contributed an average of HK$5 billion each year; in the fiscal year 2022/2023, total sanctioned donations amounted to HK$7.3 billion distributed over 247 initiatives.

These generous donations are financed through the Club’s comprehensive business framework—incorporating racing and entertainment, responsible betting and lottery operations, and membership services. Approximately 90% of the annual post-tax operating surplus is designated for the Charities Trust, underscoring its vital contribution to community advancement in Hong Kong.

Lease

The Happy Valley Racecourse is situated on a 92,000 m² parcel known as Inland Lot 8847, held under a government-subsidized Private Recreational Lease that commenced in 1884 and is set to expire on 23 June 2034.

In September 2021, the Hong Kong Free Press revealed that the Jockey Club had failed to honor a previous agreement to return the Happy Valley site in exchange for land located in Shatin.

In August 2024, announcements were made regarding the Jockey Club’s intention to transform portions of its government-leased property (with an annual rent of HK$84,600) into private residential units for sale, aiming to generate substantial profits. This plan attracted criticism due to the advantageous lease conditions and concerns about disproportionate financial gains.

Club Chairpersons


#	Name	Term
1	Phineas Ryrie, JP	1884–1892
2	Sir Catchick Paul Chater, CMG, JP	1892–1926
3	Henry Percy White	1926–1929
4	Charles Gordon Stewart Mackie, JP	1929–1935
5	Marcus Theodore Johnson, JP	1935–1939
6	Thomas Ernest Pearce, JP	1940–1941
7	Percy Tester	1945–1946
8	Sir Arthur Morse, KBE, JP	1946–1952
9	Donovan Benson, OBE, JP	1953–1967
10	Sir John Anthony Holt Saunders, CBE, DSO, MC	1967–1972
11	Sir Douglas Clague, CBE, MC, QPM, CPM, TD	1972–1974
12	Peter Gordon Williams, OBE, JP	1974–1981
13	Lord Sandberg, CBE	1981–1986
14	Sir Oswald Cheung, CBE, QC, SC, JP	1986–1989
15	Sir Gordon MacWhinnie, JP	1989–1991
16	Sir William Purves, CBE, DSO, GBM	1992–1993
17	Sir John Joseph Swaine, CBE, QC, SC, JP	1993–1996
18	Wong Chung-hin, CBE, JP	1996–1998
19	Alan Li Fook-sum	1998–2002
20	Ronald Arculli, GBM, GBS, CVO, OBE, JP	2002–2006
21	John Chan, GBS, CBE, LVO, JP	2006–2010
22	Thomas Brian Stevenson, GBS, JP	2010–2014
23	'Simon Ip', GBS, CBE, JP	2014–2018
24	Anthony Chow Wing-kin', SBS, JP	2018–2020
25	'Philip Chen Nan-lok', GBS, JP	2020–2022
26	Michael Lee Tsz-hau', JP	2022–present

CEO

The position now known as Chief Executive Officer was initially called General Manager. The inaugural General Manager appointed in 1972 was Major-General Bernard Penfold.

Major-General Robert Bernard Penfold, CB, LVO (1972–1979)
General Sir Arthur John Archer, KCB, OBE (1979–1986)
Major-General Guy Hansard Watkins, CB, OBE (1986–1996)
Lawrence Wong Chee-kong (1996–2007)
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, GBS, JP (2007–present)

External links