Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre opens at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

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.

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.