Hong Kong Jockey Club invites aspiring Racing Trainees to apply now

The Apprentice Jockeys’ School at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Talent Training Centre (RTTC) has been shaping Hong Kong’s top trainers, jockeys, and equestrian professionals for over 50 years. With its internationally accredited training programme, the RTTC invites aspiring young talents to ‘gallop into the future’ with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as applications for the latest intake of Racing Trainees is open until 4 July, 2025, offering a pathway to careers as jockeys, work riders, farriers, equestrian assistants, and veterinary clinical technicians in the horse racing industry.

The Apprentice Jockeys’ School of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Talent Training Centre’s is recruiting a new intake of Racing Trainees until 4 July 2025.

Racing Trainee applicants must be aged 15 or above and have completed Form 3 or higher education. There are no height limits or prior riding experience required. The reference weights of apprentice jockeys and work riders are approximately 105lb and 125lb, respectively. Candidates who are diligent and possess a positive and proactive attitude, as well as having a passion and aptitude for sports are encouraged to apply.

Racing Trainees have diversified career opportunities in the racing industry.

Riding instructors at the Apprentice Jockeys’ School will conduct riding and fitness tests in July and August to select potential candidates for shortlisting and enrolment in an orientation camp. The top 25 applicants will then be selected to join the programme.

Amy Chan, Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Horse racing is a sport which embodies a rich legacy of history, passion and skill. For over five decades, we have evolved with times while staying committed to nurturing well-rounded professionals to honour Hong Kong’s racing heritage while maintaining our global standing as we continue to drive the sport forward.”

Ellis Wong (right), who joined the Apprentice Jockeys’ School as a Racing Trainee in 2017 and is an apprentice jockey currently riding in Hong Kong. The left is Amy Chan, Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Apprentice Jockeys’ School adopts a Dual Education System, combining school-based learning with vocational training. This approach equips Racing Trainees with a diverse skill set, preparing them for a range of differing roles within the industry.

Racing Trainees will study a wide range of courses, including riding，stable management and horse care, preparing trainees for other crucial roles in Hong Kong racing.

Racing Trainees will study a comprehensive curriculum, including riding, stable management, physical training, financial management and traditional academic subjects. Racing Trainees will have the opportunity to train overseas, gaining international exposure and cultural experiences before returning to Hong Kong.

Racing Trainees will study a wide range of courses, including riding，stable management and horse care, preparing trainees for other crucial roles in Hong Kong racing.

Ellis Wong, current apprentice jockey, joined the Apprentice Jockeys’ School as a Racing Trainee in 2017. He has expressed that “The School has given me more than just a solid foundation in riding and fitness. I’m really encouraged to have been riding more winners recently, which I attribute to the professional mindset and disciplined approach instilled in me through the training. I’ve learned to think about and approach things with focus, preparation, and positivity.”

Racing Trainees will study a wide range of courses, including riding，stable management and horse care, preparing trainees for other crucial roles in Hong Kong racing.

After completing the training programme, graduates will receive a certificate equivalent to Level 1 to Level 3, accredited by The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.

Candidates who wish to obtain further details about the Racing Trainees Programme and applying can visit the RTTC website at www.hkjc.com/rttc.

For more than half a century, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has provided top-tier racing training through the Apprentice Jockeys’ School. Its graduates have gone on to achieve extraordinary success, among them legendary jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz, who has excelled in many jurisdictions around the world as well as champion trainers Ricky Yiu and Francis Lui, and standout homegrown jockey Vincent Ho.

In support of cross‑sector collaboration to advance sustainable development, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has approved a donation of over HK$426 million to support The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in establishing and operating the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute. The donation also supports the creation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships, with the aim of bringing together distinguished international scholars from diverse fields to provide global insights into local needs and to transform research findings into practical policy recommendations and solutions for a more liveable and resilient Hong Kong - so contributing to the betterment of society.

Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (left) and Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (right) officiate at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.

The dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships was held on 5 May. Attending guests included Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward, Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; Prof Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) of The University of Hong Kong; Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of Business School of The University of Hong Kong and three endowed professors: Professor Guojun He, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Professor Jeffrey Ng, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting, and Professor Uta Schönberg, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics.

Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (3rd left); Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (centre); Prof Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) of The University of Hong Kong (1st left); Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of Business School of The University of Hong Kong; and the three endowed professors (2nd left): Professor Guojun He, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (3rd right); Professor Jeffrey Ng, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting (1st right), and Professor Uta Schönberg, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (2nd right) attend the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.

Congratulating the four eminent scholars on their appointments, including Professor Roni Michaely, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Finance and Entrepreneurship, who was unable to attend the ceremony, Club Steward Rimsky Yuen said that, with the support of the four endowed professorships, the institute is well-placed to become a world-class knowledge hub, providing actionable insights that can deliver meaningful impact in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond. He added that the Club has supported many groundbreaking initiatives at HKU over the years. This reflects the Club’s long-standing investment in human capital and higher education, and its commitment to nurturing leaders who can propel the city’s economic development and sustain the prosperity of the nation.

Club Steward Rimsky Yuen delivers a speech at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute aims to become a world-class hub for Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Sustainability best practice in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond with respect to three core aspects:

1）Research — Create four endowed professorships in the disciplines of economics, finance, entrepreneurship, and accounting. Under the leadership of the appointed scholars, the Institute will foster multidisciplinary collaboration and integrate knowledge with practice and transform top-tier research into actionable solutions.
2）Engagement — Develop a sustainability index, offer consultancy and advisory services, and organise conferences, seminars and international summits to facilitate dialogues and forge cross‑sector partnerships.
3）Education — Curate sustainability related courses and interdisciplinary initiatives to equip forward-looking sustainability professionals.

The Club’s support for the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Group photo.