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 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.