Jockey Club supports construction of harbourfront plaza to preserve maritime heritage

A completion ceremony for the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza was held at the Central harbourfront today (18 July). Construction was funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with the free-access plaza expected to open to the public in the third quarter of this year. Guests attending today’s ceremony included HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law, Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth, Club Steward Andrew Weir and Hong Kong Maritime Museum Chairman Richard Hext.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law (front row, centre), Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth (front row, 3rd left), Club Steward Andrew Weir (front row, 2nd left) and other guests pose for a photo inside the pavilion.

Club Steward Hunsworth said that supporting the plaza underscored the Club’s commitment to preserving and promoting Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. He added that the waterfront site was created as a unique landmark for local residents and tourists and would serve as a new focal point to enhance understanding of the city’s maritime history and culture.

Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth delivers a speech at the completion ceremony of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza.

The Club’s Charities Trust approved a donation of around HK$24 million to fund the plaza as part of the HKSAR Community Projects List in 2022. It is situated in front of Central Piers 9 and 10 and adjacent to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. It is expected to attract up to two million visitors a year.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law (centre), Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth (right), Club Steward Andrew Weir (left) join a guided tour to learn more about the plaza’s design concept.

The plaza features the 36-tonne, 7-metre-high anchor of the Seawise Giant, the largest cargo vessel ever built. It also provides a brand new public learning space featuring a walkthrough pavilion with immersive ArtTech displays and interactive screens. This will enable visitors to delve deeper into Hong Kong’s marine life and maritime history through art and interactive technology.

The free-access plaza is expected to open to the public in the third quarter of this year.

The pavilion’s design incorporates modern architectural aesthetics to provide a relaxing space for visitors to gather and enjoy the harbourfront view. Through a short video played inside the pavilion, visitors can also learn about Hong Kong’s vibrant marine environment as well as different types of vessels and their sailing capabilities in line with advancements in technology. The pavilion will allow visitors to journey through the different eras of Hong Kong’s harbour.

The plaza features a walkthrough pavilion with immersive ArtTech displays and interactive screens, enabling visitors to delve deeper into Hong Kong’s maritime history.

The Club’s support for the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza, 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.

Attending the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Jockey Club Anchor Plaza completion ceremony were HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law (centre), Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth (left) and Hong Kong Maritime Museum Chairman Richard Hext (right).

The Hong Kong Jockey Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, held its Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony today (16 May) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma and the works are on a year-long tour of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, symbolising unity between the Club and the community.

Horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, are on show at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from today until 21 May.

Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left); renowned artist Simon Ma (2nd right); Eric Lee, Yau Tsim Mong District Officer (1st right); Wong Kwok Hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services (2nd left) at the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza runs from today until 21 May. The exhibition will then tour Tamar Park in Admiralty, as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other locations. Through art and community engagement, it offers more citizens the opportunity to experience the unique charm of horse culture combined with contemporary art. The exhibition also features a nighttime horse-themed light show, highlighting the dynamic movement and power of galloping horses.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Today’s launch ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition, launched by the Club in conjunction with Ma. A renowned interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong, Ma is dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, with the horse serving as a significant creative symbol representing strength, unity and the spirit of heritage. As part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, thousands of young people - from kindergarten to university level – created artworks for the competition, drawing inspiration from the equine paintings of pioneering Chinese artist Xu Beihong. The competition comprised ten categories, with 30 winners or winning teams selected.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th right) presented awards to winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Guests posed a group photo with winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.