Jockey Club Backs 15th National Games, Supports Equestrian Events in Guangdong

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (1 July) announced its support for the 15th National Games, as well as the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG) in the Guangdong Competition Region. This includes high-quality technical support for the equestrian events of the 15th National Games. This is in addition to the HK$450 million the Club is providing for the Hong Kong Competition Region as sole Partner Sponsor. The Club’s contribution reflects its support for national sporting events and its commitment to promoting sports development in collaboration with Mainland authorities.

Guests attend the signing ceremony for The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Support for the 15th National Games in the Guangdong Competition Region.

To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at the Club’s Sha Tin Clubhouse today. Attending the ceremony were Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Li Shuguang; Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding; and Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam.

Attending the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Regarding the 15th National Games Competition Region were Director-General of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian (back row, 3rd left); Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Li Shuguang (back row, 2nd left); Head of the National Games Co-ordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung (back row, 1st left); Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (back row, 3rd right); Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding (back row, 2nd right); and Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (back row, 1st right). The MoU was signed by the Club’s Head of Mainland Affairs, Ronald Chan (front row, right) and the Secretary-General of the Guangdong Sports Foundation Lan Sai (front row, left).

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that as a world-class horse sports and charity organisation with a strong commitment to the country and Hong Kong, the Club has long been a staunch supporter of the nation’s major sports events, including the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the recent 19th Hangzhou Asian Games. The Club is therefore honoured to give its full support to all three games. The Club hopes that its participation will not only contribute to their success but also further develop equestrian sport at the national level, especially within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Without doubt the games will once again showcase the world-class standard of China’s sport as well as providing wonderful memories for everyone taking part.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club has long been a staunch supporter of major national sports events and is honoured to give its full support to the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian said that the Club’s support for the equestrian events and official activities, volunteer services, as well as promotional campaigns in the Guangdong Competition Region, has helped advance the vision of a “Green, Inclusive, Open and Clean” National Games, demonstrating the shared commitment of Guangdong and Hong Kong to serving national strategies. He emphasised that Guangdong and Hong Kong always “stand together with one heart” and he encouraged continued collaboration. By working hand in hand through open dialogue and mutual support, both will unlock an even brighter future for sports development in the Greater Bay Area.

With its world-class expertise in equestrian sport, the Club will provide technical support to the equestrian events of the 15th National Games in the following six areas: (1) venue design, (2) horse welfare, (3) anti-doping, (4) stable management, (5) event service and support, (6) publicity and community engagement. The Club will also deploy an expert team to provide support and equipment for the events, with the aim of helping to ensure the events will be conducted at a high standard. Additionally, the Club will support official activities, volunteer services and promotion work in the Guangdong Competition Region. For the above initiatives, the Club has appropriated a total of RMB 50 million.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club has long been a staunch supporter of major national sports events and is honoured to give its full support to the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

The National Games, held once every four years, are the nation’s highest-level and largest multi-sports event. This year will be the first time Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have co-hosted the National Games as well as the NGD & NSOG. This is a historic moment and a unique opportunity to promote sportsmanship, health and cohesion within the GBA. The 15th National Games will be held from 9 to 21 November 2025. Equestrian events will take place in Shenzhen’s Guangming District from 10 to 19 November. The NGD & NSOG will take place from 8 to 15 December 2025.

Jockey Club continues its collaboration with the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre Also today, the Club signed a cooperation agreement with the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre under which the Club will provide funding and technical management support for its equestrian facilities, which are jointly used by the Club and the training centre. Director-General of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian said the shared use of the equestrian venues and joint talent development efforts between Guangdong and Hong Kong will help elevate the professional standards of equine sports in both regions, thereby cultivating more top-tier riders from the GBA capable of competing on the international stage, as well as injecting sustainable momentum into high-quality sports development.

Attending the signing ceremony for the Co-operation Agreement for Equestrian Venue and Amenities of the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre were Director-General of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province Cui Jian (back row, middle); Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (back row, right); and Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding (back row, left). The agreement was signed by the Club’s Head of Racing Talent Training Amy Chan (front row, right) and the Director of the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre Zhao Jianxin (front row, left).

The Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre is one of the main bases for cultivating sports talent in Guangdong Province. The Club has been co-operating with the training centre since 2015 and it is now an important location for the Club’s Racing Trainee Programme, which is providing a pipeline of talent ready for the start of racing at Conghua Racecourse in 2026, as well as for the national equine industry.

Guests attend the signing ceremony for the Cooperation Agreement for the Equestrian Venue and Amenities of the Guangdong Huangcun Sports Training Centre.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) officially opened today (21 January) in Tai Po. Supported by a donation of HK$130 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the new centre serves as a key base for environmental conservation, sustainable living and nature education programmes, strengthening KFBG’s role as a regional hub for Hong Kong’s biodiversity conservation.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre will strengthen KFBG’s role as a regional hub for nature conservation.

Officiating at the opening ceremony today were Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andrew McAulay, Chairperson of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden; and The Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre were Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Andrew McAulay, Chairperson of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (1st right); and The Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie (1st left).

Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, remarked that Sustainability is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s nine impact programmes.  The Trust’s support for the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre reflects its strong commitment to advancing sustainability and building a liveable Hong Kong.

Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre replaces the existing conservation building constructed in the 1960s, enhancing KFBG’s capacity for conservation education. The new five-storey building is equipped with multi-purpose rooms and roof gardens for public education. These will support exhibitions, experiential programmes and guided tours to foster appreciation of the environment, alongside workshops and international knowledge sharing. The centre is expected to receive more than 42,000 visitors a year.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre.

The centre incorporates multiple energy-saving and eco-friendly features, including natural daylighting, integrated low-e glass and a solar heating system. It has achieved a Provisional Gold rating under the BEAM Plus New Buildings standard. The centre’s design blends with the natural landscape, featuring a terraced profile that complements the surrounding hillside. Nature-friendly elements include bird-safe glass and artificial nest boxes to support local wildlife.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre, 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.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre will strengthen KFBG’s role as a regional hub for nature conservation.