Jockey Club announces plans to become a global sports entertainment brand and to showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism

Today (12 May), The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced the launch of a major initiative to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand with the ultimate aim of creating even more value for the community. In support, the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment (XIX), one of the world’s top entertainment brands.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.

Over the past 20 years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become a world-class racing brand. Its Group 1 races and superstar horses feature strongly in the world rankings, with two of the world’s best horses currently based in Hong Kong. Some of the world’s best jockeys and trainers are in Hong Kong. The Club’s racing is broadcast to millions of fans across five continents, with 25% of its income now derived from overseas. The Club’s racecourse facilities are second to none. And through its Happy Wednesday brand, which showcases sports with entertainment, and major raceday events featuring international and Hong Kong stars, combining lifestyle and entertainment, the Club has developed a highly attractive racecourse entertainment experience.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.

All of this has enabled the Club to significantly increase its support for the community. In 2023/24 alone, the Club contributed a record HK$40.1 billion in tax and approved charity donations. It has also made racing a highly attractive visitor experience, with over 143,000 tourists visiting the racecourses so far this season. This encouraging tourist attendance owes a great deal to the support for racing tourism in the recent Hong Kong CE Policy Address, and to the efforts of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in promoting Hong Kong horse racing globally.  The Club is also grateful for the new strategic collaboration with the China Tourism Group in promoting the Club’s world-class racing sport in the Mainland.

During a dialogue session, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (right) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (centre), exchange views on how their partnership can showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism.

Now the Club’s vision is to go one step further - to become a global sports entertainment brand. In other words to create a holistically integrated racing, equestrian sports and entertainment experience, which will enable the Club to expand its fan base, especially to the younger generation, and to reach out to a global and Mainland audience. Ultimately the aim is to become the premier destination for global horse racing and equestrian sports.

This, the Club believes, perfectly matches Hong Kong’s aspiration to become a hub for international exchanges and cooperation, as well as a centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It will also enable the Club to contribute even more to the betterment of society.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th left); Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (6th right); Club management and other guests pose for a group photo at the ceremony.

As a first step, the Club is delighted to partner with XIX under the leadership of its visionary founder, Simon Fuller. The first collaboration will bring XIX’s global pop group, Now United, to Hong Kong. The first initiative, Now United, will give Hong Kong’s talent a chance to shine on the world stage, while through social media and racecourse performances the group will share positive stories about Hong Kong and Hong Kong racing with their millions of fans around the world.

Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said he was excited to announce the Club’s plans to become a globally recognised sports entertainment brand, which will enable the Club to contribute even more to Hong Kong. Holistically integrating entertainment, racing and equestrian sport, at its heart will be a celebration of the strong bonding between horses and humans. This, he said, perfectly matches Hong Kong's aspiration to expand its global connectivity. Finally, looking ahead to the Year of the Horse in 2026, it is the perfect moment to use entertainment, lifestyle and social content to foster new connections and promote passion around the horse - heritage, power, elegance and emotion brought to life.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club announces the strategic partnership between the Club and XIX Entertainment.

Simon Fuller, the British-born Founder of XIX, said “I am excited to be collaborating with Hong Kong and the Jockey Club to create something aspirational and positive. I believe there is an important opportunity to bring inspiring and joyful entertainment to Hong Kong and Horse Racing. This is an incredible city full of potential with so many stunning iconic locations to share with the world.” He added, “my global pop group Now United being here in Hong Kong is the beginning of many more exciting announcements in the coming months, leading to celebrating the year of the horse.”

Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.

Now United is XIX’s multi-cultural global pop group, featuring young musical and dance talent from across the world. The collaboration with the Club will see a talent search in Hong Kong for the next member of the group. The finalist will receive masterclass training from top-class professionals at XIX Entertainment’s Academy of Pop. There will also be a reality series and music videos filmed with Now United during their stay in Hong Kong, to be shared with their 40 million social media followers across multiple platforms around the world.  Hong Kong audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy Now United’s live performances at the Club’s racecourses and at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December 2025.

The search for the next member of Now Unitedin Hong Kong will begin with auditions for people aged 18 or above starting from today (12 May). For application details, please visit https://nowunited.com/newmember/index_en.php.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the city of Deauville, France today (13 May) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in the fields of equine sports development including horse riding, horse supply, and equine health and welfare.

Group photos at the Residence of France in Hong Kong.

The MOU was signed at the Residence of France in Hong Kong by Andrew Harding, HKJC Executive Director, Racing, and Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville. The signing was witnessed by Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, HKJC Chief Executive Officer; Franck Lemestre, Director of the Deauville International Equestrian Centre; Thierry Bottard, Director General of InDeauville; Terecina Kwong, HKJC Executive Director, Membership and Customer Excellence; and Casper Stylsvig, HKJC Executive Director, Sports Business.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the city of Deauville, represented by Andrew Harding, HKJC Executive Director, Racing (front row, left) and Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville (front row, right), sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the fields of equine sport development. The signing is witnessed by Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (back row, 3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, HKJC Chief Executive Officer (back row, 3rd left); Frank Lemestre, Director of the Deauville International Equestrian Centre (back row, 2nd right); Thierry Bottard, Director General of InDeauville (back row, 1st right); Terecina Kwong, HKJC Executive Director, Membership and Customer Excellence (back row, 2nd left); and Casper Stylsvig, HKJC Executive Director, Sports Business (back row, 1st left).

Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau said, “this agreement gives a new momentum to a relationship founded on trust, shared values, and a common identity related to equestrian excellence. It was made possible by the long-standing exchanges between France and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, notably the yearly France Galop Cup as well as the yearly HKJC trophy races in Deauville in August. I am delighted to see the partnership between France and Hong Kong around the horse brought to a new level, which reflects France and Hong Kong’s joint desire to deepen their exchanges in sports and tourism.”

Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau said this agreement gives a new momentum to a relationship founded on trust, shared values, and a common identity related to equestrian excellence.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said Hong Kong and France share a deep passion for the horse. Racing is also deep-rooted in their communities, bringing people together in their love of sport. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges added that French May this month will see Hong Kong celebrating the very best of France. The MOU with Deauville strengthens HKJC’s relationship with French horse sports still further. This year, being the Year of the Horse in the Chinese calendar, is even more meaningful, with special events organised in Hong Kong to share the love of the horse.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the collaboration with Deauville of France takes forward HKJC’s strong and deep connections with the French equine community.

Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville said, “Deauville and Hong Kong may be oceans apart, but we are joined by the same spirit — a love for horses, sport, elegance, and tradition, as well as a constant drive for innovation and excellence. The values upheld by The Hong Kong Jockey Club deeply resonate with those of our town, which has long been in both places the home to world-class horse events. Together, we can foster new opportunities, inspire young talent, and strengthen the enduring bond between our communities.”

Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville said Deauville and Hong Kong may be oceans apart, but both cities are joined by the same spirit — a love for horses, sport, elegance, and tradition, as well as a constant drive for innovation and excellence.

The three-year extendable partnership covers a range of initiatives and includes collaboration across four areas:

1. Exchange on horse health and welfare*
• Research collaboration in equine medicine, welfare practices and veterinary science to advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of equine diseases.
• Support for the re-training and re-homing of former Hong Kong racehorses in France with the support of Champs Legacy, an official partner of the HKJC’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme

2. Supply of racehorses:*
Both sides will encourage collaboration and promote opportunities with Deauville’s horse auction house “ARQANA”. Deauville will facilitate exchanges and visits between Deauville-based agents and breeders and HKJC connections who are interested in purchasing racehorses.

3. Horse riding programmes:*
Deauville will facilitate the organisation of tourism packages, including tailor-made and summer riding programmes, for HKJC Members.

4. Polo programmes:*
Deauville will facilitate the organisation of polo training sessions in the city. It will also support HKJC Members’ participation in the Asia Polo Cup in Deauville, to be held annually in August, with the first edition this year.

On 16 August 2025, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, presented trophies to the winning connections of races named in honour of the HKJC, held at Deauville Racecourse in France.

The HKJC has a long-standing relationship with the French equine industry, notably the yearly HKJC trophy races in Deauville in August, and the two races run each May at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Racecourse under the banners of French May and France Galop. French-themed Happy Wednesdays will be held throughout May, including the French May Trophy and the France Galop Cup today (13 May) – the same day as the signing of the MOU.

On 16 August 2025, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th left), presented trophies to the winning connections of races named in honour of the HKJC, held at Deauville Racecourse in France.

Located in the Normandy region of northwestern France, Deauville is renowned for its elegant architecture, prestigious horse-racing events and golf courses, local gastronomy, shopping opportunities and vibrant cultural scene. It is also widely recognised as a hub for equestrian excellence in Europe, with two racecourses, major polo events, a world-class training centre offering riding certifications (Pôle International du Cheval), a campus dedicated to education, research and innovation in equine health, and leading horse auction house “ARQANA”.

Deauville is a coastal tourist destination in the northwest of France, where equestrian sports perfectly blend with its long-standing history, cultural heritage, and leisure activities.

Deauville is a coastal tourist destination in the northwest of France, where equestrian sports perfectly blend with its long-standing history, cultural heritage, and leisure activities.

Deauville is a coastal tourist destination in the northwest of France, where equestrian sports perfectly blend with its long-standing history, cultural heritage, and leisure activities.

As a world class sports and entertainment organisation, the HKJC is committed to equine sports development in Hong Kong. From the retraining of retired racehorses, to the operation of public riding schools, to the provision of high-level coaching and professional support to equestrian riders via the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, and technical and logistical support for major equestrian events – all this is made possible by the HKJC’s unique integrated business model of world-class racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution.

Group photos at the Residence of France in Hong Kong.

Group photos at the Residence of France in Hong Kong.