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 TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, 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.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.