Jockey Club unveils first Hong Kong, China member of global pop group Now United, supporting young local talent to shine on world stage

The Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with international brand XIX Entertainment announced the first new member of global pop group Now United from Hong Kong, China in a media unveiling at Tai Kwun today (28 August). The new member, Ariel Tsang, delivered her debut performance with the group, showcasing the talent of Hong Kong’s younger generation. It marks the culmination of a months-long search to find a new member of Now United that consisted of auditions, Hollywood-level training and intensive bootcamps.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok (photo 2, centre) with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang (photo 2, 5th right) and other group members.

It was back in May this year that the Club announced a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment. Their first major initiative was to bring Now United to Hong Kong for a talent search, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young local talent to perform on a global stage.

Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang.

Tsang becomes Now United’s first-ever member from Hong Kong, China. Born in the city, she brings extensive stage experience as a home-grown singer, rapper and dancer and has garnered attention for her musical talent and youthful energy. Her proficiency in Cantonese, English and Putonghua enables her to collaborate with group members and communicate with audiences from around the world, showcasing her abilities and creativity. She provides a bridge that connects Hong Kong’s new generation of talent to the world stage.

Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang.

Dennis Hau, Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, highlighted the Club’s aspiration to become a global sports entertainment brand, beginning with its partnership with XIX. “This collaboration will deliver attractive world-class racing and entertainment experiences for local residents and tourists, encouraging them to experience the magic when horse sports meet top-class entertainment,” he said. “The Club has long been committed to youth and talent development, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provides young local talent with world-class training. We look forward to Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member helping to promote tourism in Hong Kong and take local horse racing events to the world.”

Dennis Hau, the Club’s Executive Director of Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation (6th left), and Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (6th right), present the Certificate of Appointment to Aaron Kwok as the HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador (centre).

Asian superstar Aaron Kwok attended the media unveiling in his capacity as “HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador” to nurture promising local talent and encourage young people to follow their dreams. He is a well-known proponent of encouraging performers and artists to shine on the stage, in keeping with the Club’s commitment to youth and talent development.

Aaron Kwok, HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador, attended the media unveiling of the Now United Hong Kong, China member.

Being a horse owner with a love of horses, Kwok praised the Club for its contributions to the betterment of society over the years. He noted it has made Hong Kong synonymous with world-class racing while also supporting countless charitable and community projects locally and internationally. He praised the Club’s commitment to youth and talent development, and expressed the hope that this once-in-a-lifetime Now United initiative would inspire Hong Kong youths to show their passion and talent to the world.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok ( centre) with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang and other group members.

Internationally renowned entertainment producer, sports promoter and XIX founder Simon Fuller praised the Club’s innovative vision of combining world-class sports and entertainment, noting Now United complements the dynamic energy of Hong Kong perfectly. He hoped the group’s new Hong Kong member would showcase their optimism and resilience to shine on the world stage.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok ( centre) with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang and other group members.

The collaboration between the Club and XIX also features Masterclass workshops from industry-leading professionals at XIX Entertainment’s Academy of Pop, with tutors including world-class dancer and choreographer Nicky Andersen and renowned vocal coach Berkley The Artist.

HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador Aaron Kwok ( centre) with Now United’s new Hong Kong, China member Ariel Tsang and other group members.

During their stay in Hong Kong, members of Now United will shoot a reality YouTube Series and music videos, sharing positive stories about Hong Kong and Hong Kong racing with their millions of fans worldwide across multiple platforms.

Posing for a group photo with Now United members on stage are Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (8th left); Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism (7th right); Joanne Chu, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism (7th left); Dennis Hau, the Club’s Executive Director of Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation (6th left); Raymond Tam, the Club’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (6th right); and Aaron Kwok, HKJC’s Rising Stars Ambassador (centre).

The group is due to embark on a world tour in November featuring stops in Portugal and Brazil, before returning to Hong Kong in December to perform live at the Club’s racecourses including at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. To learn more about Now United’s activities in Hong Kong and the Club’s entertainment initiatives, please visit and follow @hkjcentertainment on Instagram.

Click the link below to rewatch the event:
https://www.youtube.com/live/24xohmpJaVQ

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.