Jockey Club celebrates new and graduating Jockey Club Scholars and awards fellowships to the first cohort of JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (17 March) held its Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner. In addition to awarding scholarships to 116 students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to serving the community, the very first JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application was awarded to 10 outstanding STEM researchers. The Club also congratulated 40 graduating JC Scholars as they embarked on a new chapter in their lives.

Pictured with JC Scholars and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows are Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre); keynote speaker Tsinghua University Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) Zhang Yaqian (front row, 8th left); members of the Club’s Board of Stewards; Club management members and representatives of participating tertiary institutions.

Club Chairman Michael Lee was joined by keynote speaker Tsinghua University Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) Zhang Ya-qin;Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao; Club Stewards Dr Silas Yang, Lester Huang, Dr Henry Chan, Jackson Woo, Ann Kung and Philip Lo; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; and representatives of participating tertiary institutions, who attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (6th right); Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao (5th rigth); Club Stewards Dr Silas Yang (5th left), Lester Huang (4th right), Dr Henry Chan (4th left), Jackson Woo (3rd right), Ann Kung (3rd left) and Philip Lo (2nd right); Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (6th left); Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding (2nd left); Club Executive Director, Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung (1st right); and Club Executive Director, Legal and Compliance, James Bidlake (1st left), who attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

Club Chairman Michael Lee said that The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships have grown in scope and scale over the past 20-plus years. In addition to supporting Hong Kong undergraduates, they have extended to students pursuing vocational education, to gifted young minds from the Mainland and around the world, and to students who have excelled while overcoming adversities and challenges. He highlighted the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application, launched by the Club’s Charities Trust in 2024 to help STEM researchers translate scientific findings into practical industry applications. Given the rapid pace of technological change, especially AI, he urged JC Scholars and JC STEM Fellows to harness its power for the benefit of all members of society, driving positive change for future generations.

Club Chairman Michael Lee delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

Congratulating the awardees, this year’s keynote speaker Professor Zhang Ya-qin noted that AI is the most transformative force of our time. The era of AI calls for a new generation of leaders with new skills and vision. He sincerely appreciated the Club’s unwavering support for students and for research initiatives. This is a defining moment for students to rise, shine, and answer the historic call of duty—not only through their talent, creativity and innovation, but also with compassion, courage and humanity.

Keynote speaker Professor Zhang Ya-qin congratulates awardees at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

The Club has long been committed to supporting education and talent development in Hong Kong. Established in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships are dedicated to nurturing caring leaders for a better society. Over the years, they have expanded to provide diversified talent development pathways. To date, HK$891 million1has been disbursed, with more than 1,100 outstanding students receiving scholarships. Further details can be found on The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships website: https://jcscholarships.hk/en.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman’s Scholarship.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman’s Scholarship.

James Li, one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees, is studying Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy in childhood, and relying on a wheelchair for mobility, James has not given in to the challenges he faces. Instead, he strives to apply his knowledge to create products that enhance the lives of people with disabilities. He has greatly benefited from the support provided by his scholarship. He is especially focused on using technology to create a more inclusive world in the future.

Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao (front row, centre) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees.

To meet the needs of the 21st century, to promote industrial innovation development in Hong Kong and to support its development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Club established the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024 with the support of a donation from its Charities Trust. The fellowship aims to nurture STEM researchers by providing comprehensive support and unique opportunities for them to develop their research and innovation career, to expand their professional networks, and to create social impact. Further details can be found on the JC STEM Fellowship website: https://www.jcstem.hk/en .

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 5th left) with graduating JC Scholars.

Dr Hu Delin is one of this year’s recipients of the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship. His research focuses on AI-assisted optimal design, perception and control of miniature magnetic robots, with the aim of enhancing the precision and automation of minimally invasive interventions using innovative AI tools. He says the fellowship has provided him with greater freedom in his research, which was one of the key factors attracting him to Hong Kong.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (centre) with JC Scholars Jenna Choi (2nd right), James Li (2nd left) and Horace Pong (1st left); and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Hu Delin (1st right).

As a not-for-profit sports and charity organisation rooted in Hong Kong for 140 years, the Club’s partnership with the community has thrived thanks to a unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. The Club – under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” – has organised a series of celebratory initiatives to mark this milestone and recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its mission to act continuously for the betterment of society. For more information, please visit https://campaign.hkjc.com/140/en/.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 2nd right) with JC Scholars Jenna Choi (front row, 1st right), James Li (front row, centre) and Horace Pong (front row, 2nd left); JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Hu Delin (front row, 1st left); and representatives of The Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today announces the re-opening of two meticulously renovated dining and entertainment venues at Sha Tin Racecourse – Champion Circle and Inner Circle. The upgraded venues will enhance the race-going experience for both local racing fans and overseas visitors, offering unparalleled racecourse catering and entertainment alongside Hong Kong’s world-class racing.

Champion Circle and Inner Circle will reopen in May with a brand-new look, becoming the largest dining and entertainment venue at Sha Tin Racecourse, offering an unparalleled catering and entertainment experience.

The enhanced Inner Circle features sophisticated interiors and a wide variety of seating combinations to cater to customers’ needs.

Located on 3/F of Grandstand I at Sha Tin Racecourse and with a total floor area of 50,000 square feet, the new-look Champion Circle and Inner Circle have been optimised to accommodate a total of almost 1,000 customers. They will offer an exceptional, livelier full day of racing, dining and entertainment for racing enthusiasts and high-end priority card members, respectively.

The enhanced Inner Circle features sophisticated interiors and a wide variety of seating combinations to cater to customers’ needs.

To fully meet customer needs, Champion Circle offers nine seating combinations, accommodating a total of 800 guests.

Sha Tin Racecourse stages major race meetings, welcoming close to one million annual visitations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas last season. The venues’ re-opening is perfectly timed, bringing fresh energy and excitement to Sha Tin Racecourse as the city promotes horse racing tourism. Dozens of high-end international tourists will be among the first customers to enjoy the premium experience offered by Inner Circle on the Club’s flagship FWD Champions Day on 27 April, which is also designated as one of the city’s mega events for a second consecutive year. Others will have the chance to enjoy the unique charm of horse racing in the upgraded Champion Circle from early May, when the venue opens to all members of the public.

The enhanced Inner Circle features sophisticated interiors and a wide variety of seating combinations to cater to customers’ needs.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer, the reopening of Champion Circle and Inner Circle will help promote horse racing tourism and bring customers an even more pleasant racecourse experience.

Dennis Hau, the Club’s Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation, said that with customer satisfaction at its heart, the Club is delighted to reopen Champion Circle and Inner Circle. The venues’ meticulous redesign incorporates useful feedback from customer surveys, particularly in terms of ambience, space and catering. “We hope the stylish interior, optimised layout, wide variety of seating combinations, and venue-specific and upgraded catering choices have all the boxes checked, taking our customers’ sporting and social entertainment experience, which is unique to the racecourse, to the next level,” he said.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (centre), Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation Dennis Hau (left), and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (right) congratulate on the reopening of Inner Circle after enhancement.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (centre), Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation Dennis Hau (left), and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (right) congratulate on the reopening of Inner Circle after enhancement.

Customers at the 800-seat Champion Circle will enjoy more spacious seating arrangements in nine combinations, after an almost 50% increase in the space-to-customer ratio. In addition to the longest venue-exclusive balconies on-course, overlooking both the Parade Ring and the tracks, customers will be thrilled with the vibrant new design and cosy vibe. The former a-la-carte menus have been replaced with a variety of tempting cuisine sets available from HK$160.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (centre), Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation Dennis Hau (right), and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (left) are confident the reopened Champion Circle will be well received by customers.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (centre), Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation Dennis Hau (right), and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (left) are confident the reopened Champion Circle will be well received by customers.

In the “Priority Zone”, a new designated Champion Circle area seating 76, HKJC Priority Silver or above customers can enjoy a meal set and afternoon tea set for just HK$200 amid the stunning view and scintillating moments of the races.

A new “Priority Zone” has been launched within Champion Circle, featuring 76 seats exclusively for HKJC Priority Silver or above.

The adjacent Inner Circle is an exclusive and exquisite sanctuary, where exceptional food and great company meet the heart-pounding excitement of the finish line. With its sophisticated interiors and clear view of the racecourse tracks and paddock, HKJC Priority Black and Gold customers will find this popular outlet has also been significantly optimised to accommodate almost double the number of guests, at 82, in comfortable seating. Customers can also enjoy more privacy with an exclusive access inside Inner Circle to a private balcony overlooking the Winning Post. In addition, there is a new private room accommodating eight, which is ideal for intimate gatherings. The premium venue will offer a gourmet international buffet throughout the day at affordable prices.

Along with views of the Sha Tin Racecourse track, Champion Circle and Inner Circle also provide panoramic views of the Parade Ring, enhancing the racing experience.

A private room accommodating eight in Inner Circle is a treasured new addition for HKJC Priority Black and Gold customers who value privacy.

The two venues will be open during all Sha Tin race meetings. Reservations will open from today (25 April) for Champion Circle for 4 May onwards. Bookings Priority Zone by HKJC Silver or above customers, and for Inner Circle by HKJC Priority Black and Gold customers, will commence today for 25 May onwards. Customers can make reservations online at -

Champion Circle: https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/?venueId=100
Priority Zone: https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/?venueId=1062
Inner Circle: https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/?venueId=234

Featured by two 14-metre wide TV walls each larger than a double-decker bus, Champion Circle has more than doubled its number of televisions to almost 400 to keep customers connected to the thrill of racing.

Customers can also make bookings in the HKJC Classic 3-in-1 App or at Off-Course Betting Branches. HKJC Priority customers can earn and burn their WINS Reward in Champion Circle including Priority Zone, and Inner Circle. For enquiries, please call the Club’s Hotline at 1880 (Priority Customers) or 1817 (Public Customers). All racegoers must be aged 18 or above.