Jockey Club and Hong Kong Golf Club join forces to promote local golf development and support international sporting events in Hong Kong

Two sporting organisations with deep historic roots in the city, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), today announced a collaboration to launch the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme" (the Programme), an initiative designed to support the development of golf in Hong Kong and enrich international sporting events hosted by the city. Additionally, the HKJC announced that as the HKGC's community partner, it will fully support the international tournaments to be staged at the Fanling golf course over the next two years, including a series of community engagement activities during the "HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong" (LIV Golf) in 2026.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), today announced a collaboration to launch the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme" (the Programme), an initiative designed to support the development of golf in Hong Kong and enrich international sporting events hosted by the city. Photo by Bastille Post

For the M-Mark recognised world-class LIV Golf tournament, taking place in Fanling from 5-8 March, the partnership will aim to strengthen Hong Kong's mega-event economy, elevate its international profile, and advance its sporting development. It will also seek to strengthen school and community participation, nurture young local talent, and elevate local golf standards.

The partnership will aim to strengthen Hong Kong's mega-event economy, elevate its international profile, and advance its sporting development. It will also seek to strengthen school and community participation, nurture young local talent, and elevate local golf standards. Photo by Bastille Post

A launch ceremony for the collaboration was held today (February 11), attended by Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club Captain; and other guests.

Mr. Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo by Bastille Post

With the Chinese New Year approaching, Raymond Tam highlighted that the HKJC would launch a series of Year of the Horse activities, bringing a variety of exciting events to local citizens and visitors. They will start with HKJC's participation in the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, exclusive sponsoring the "Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong" Year of the Horse Fireworks Display, and staging of the Year of the Horse Raceday. Following the Lantern Festival is the LIV Golf. He said that HKJC hopes this partnership with HKGC will demonstrate Hong Kong's ability to host major high-caliber events and strengthen its position in the international sports arena.

Mr. Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club Captain, Photo by Bastille Post

Andy Kwok remarked: "We are excited to collaborate with The Hong Kong Jockey Club and draw on our vast experience of premier international golf events, world-class sports facilities and public engagement in order to spread the joy of golf to a wider audience. The HKJC's extensive community network will also be invaluable in growing the sport's popularity. The HKGC and the HKJC already share a long history, and we believe this joint initiative to promote golf will further strengthen our relationship and inject new momentum into the sport's development in Hong Kong."

To enhance community participation, support youth training and facilitate collaboration for major events, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has granted HK$32 million to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to set up the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme". Over the next two years, the Programme will support HKGC in breadth and depth to roll out a series of community engagement activities, including in-depth participation in community projects and fan village activities during major tournaments.

The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year. Photo by Bastille Post

The Programme will feature initiatives such as school-based activities, professional coaching for children and youth from underprivileged backgrounds, and disabled individuals, and invite members of underprivileged communities to attend world-class golf tournaments free of charge. The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year.

In addition to the Programme, the HKJC will also host a booth in the fan village at Fanling Golf Course during the tournament featuring interactive games. This will highlight cross-sport collaboration and give attendees the opportunity to learn about sports beyond golf. Members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team will also create balloon figures in the fan village to bring joy to spectators.

The collaboration will promote local golf development and support international sporting events in Hong Kong. Photo by Bastille Post

While international golfers are in Hong Kong, arrangements will be made for them to experience local cultural and culinary highlights, including Happy Wednesday races at Happy Valley Racecourse, which will both promote horse racing tourism and showcase the diverse attractions of Hong Kong to a global audience.

Through these activities and engagement opportunities, local citizens will gain more chances to connect with golf, while top golfers and visitors from around the world will experience Hong Kong's unique character as well as its ability to host high-calibre major events. This will help strengthen the Hong Kong brand and share the city's good stories.

Photo by Bastille Post

About the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme"
To enhance community participation, support youth training and facilitate collaboration for major events, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has granted HK$32 million to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to set up the "Jockey Club Community Golf Programme". Over the next two years, the Programme will support HKGC in breadth and depth to roll out a series of community engagement activities, including in-depth participation in community projects and fan village activities during the major tournaments.

The two-year programme (2026 & 2027) aims to enhance community participation and awareness of golf, and promote the high-quality, long-term development of golf in Hong Kong.

The Programme will offer a series of activities, including school-based events, experiential courses and inter-school competitions, and provide complimentary tickets to underprivileged communities. These activities will allow students and underprivileged individuals to engage with golf, thereby strengthening public awareness of the sport.

In the lead-up to both golf tournaments, professional golfers will visit primary and secondary schools to engage with students. The aim is to cultivate interest in golf among young people and provide them with the opportunity to interact closely with top golf players. Additionally, arrangements will be made for elite international golfers to mentor young players with different abilities, fostering a spirit of inclusivity.

The Programme is expected to benefit over 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities each year.

About the Hong Kong Golf Club
Hong Kong Golf Club is one of Asia's most historic and prestigious golf clubs and has been at the forefront of golf development in the region ever since its foundation in 1889. Home to three championship courses at its Fanling venue, championship golf is at its heart. In addition to hosting HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong since 2024, it established the Hong Kong Open, an International Series tournament and the city's first professional sporting event, in 1959 and has staged every edition since. The Club is ranked #48 on the Platinum Clubs of the World's list of the Top 150 Golf and Country Clubs for 2026-2027.

David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising’s extraordinary dominance can continue indefinitely after the world’s premier sprinter demolished quality opposition to post a Hong Kong record 18th successive victory in course record time in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 February).

Ka Ying Rising thrashes his rivals to win the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Stretching his unbeaten sequence beyond Silent Witness’ longstanding mark of 17 wins, slotted between 2002 and 2005, Ka Ying Rising imperiously steamrolled his opposition in 1m 19.36s to smash the previous course record of 1m 19.92s, jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod.

Jockey Zac Purton confirmed Hayes had told him pre-race “to break the track record” after he had ridden Ka Ying Rising hands-and-heels to the finish, three-and-half-lengths clear of Helios Express with Lucky Sweynesse one-and-a-quarter lengths further astern.

Improving his overall record to 19 wins from 21 starts – after two narrow seconds as a three-year-old – Ka Ying Rising jumped quickly from barrier three to sit second behind Copartner Prance and clocked 21.93s from the 1200m to the 800m before putting his rivals to the sword over the final 800m in a blistering 43.96s, with respective 200m splits of 11.26s, 11.07s, 10.52s and 11.11s to create history.

Unbeaten since February 2024, Ka Ying Rising’s unbeaten streak includes eight Group 1s – two LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint victories (2024 & 2025), two Centenary Sprint Cup titles (2025 & 2026), The Everest (2025), the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (2025) and now a pair of Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup trophies (2025 & 2026).

Silent Witness reigned from December 2002 to April 2005, snaring seven top-level features – the Hong Kong Sprint in 2003 & 2004, two Centenary Sprint Cups (2004 & 2005), two Chairman’s Sprint Prize triumphs (2004 & 2005) and the 2005 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.

Zac Purton and David Hayes celebrate with Leung Shek Kong of the Ka Ying Syndicate. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

The stunning nature of Ka Ying Rising’s latest victory prompted Hayes to declare that the five-year-old could sustain his current level of excellence for the next 18 months, fitness permitting.

“If we can place him conservatively, we hope to have him for another couple of seasons, that’s really exciting,” Hayes said. “He loves a month between runs, so we’ll probably go for the (G2) Sprint Cup (1200m) next (on 6 April) and then we don’t have to train him too hard and babysit him into the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m on 26 April).

“Hopefully we can get another clean sweep of the season again with The Everest in the middle.

“He’s more composed than ever, he’s changing legs and you can’t ask for much more than he’s doing. He’s breaking track records and his last three runs, he’d have broken the track record if Zac had let him go.

“He jumped so well (today) and cruised through the bend beautifully – at the 300m, I could really enjoy it. I could tell he had the race in command. Zac went for him a bit more than he normally does and rode to instructions, which was good.

“I’ve trained a lot of horses that have gone 742 days without winning, so to continuously win for 742 days is mind-numbing. It’s two and a half years and the thing people don’t realise is that he was the (equal) youngest horse in the race today. They always think he’s the big boy bashing them up, but he’s actually the baby.

“It’s a huge relief. I didn’t think the team could have had him better for today and I was confident that if the track was riding fast, he could break the (track) record. I didn’t want Zac sitting up in the last 100m, I said to him ‘let him run through the post and we’ll see how strong he is at 1400m’. He’s just a star.

“I just thought for his worldwide ratings, I wanted Zac to let him go today and hopefully he can keep climbing up that incredible ladder that he’s going up. When you’ve got a horse as good as him, he’s the one everyone will be comparing the next big horse too.”

Zac Purton has won 18 races aboard Ka Ying Rising. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Purton notched his fifth victory in the race following wins on Ambitious Dragon (2013) and Beauty Generation (2018, 2019 & 2020) and believes Ka Ying Rising has reached his peak.

“I think he’s reached his level and it’s just a matter of managing him now and try to preserve that for as long as we can,” Purton said. “He’s the horse of a lifetime. I just shake my head every time with the performances he puts up and the ease with which he does.

“I’ve just got to pinch myself, I’m so lucky. He’s just different – he’s in a league of his own. They’re very good horses that he’s racing against, and he just does it like he’s having a barrier trial and let’s hope he can stay in this form for another 12 or 18 months.

“It was pretty straightforward. He jumped well, he was in a lovely rhythm behind Copartner Prance. Patch Of Theta went to move around me about the 1200m and I just made sure I was going to give my horse plenty of room. And then he just did his job – he did what he does.

“To be etched in history now forever is part of my legacy, part of David’s and a part of Ka Ying Rising and hopefully he can continue on doing what he’s doing. We’re all enjoying being associated with him and I think everyone is enjoying watching him being successful as well.

“The horse deserves all the credit. He’s the one with the ability and he continues to step out, race after race, and blow good quality horses away and it’s very unique to see that.”

Currently the second-highest rated horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising also holds the 1200m turf course record (1m 07.20s).

Purton also triumphed aboard Manfred Man-trained debutant Almighty Lightning (128lb) in the Class 4 Daffodil Handicap (1000m), Cool Blue (122lb) for Chris So in the Class 5 Jasmine Handicap (1800m), Pierre Ng’s Aerovolanic (131lb) in the Class 4 Peach Blossom Handicap (1400m) and Cool Boy in the Class 3 Peony Handicap (1200m) for Jamie Richards.

Stellar Express (134lb) slotted his fifth course and distance success in the Class 2 Orchid Handicap (1000m), clocking 55.36s for John Size and Andrea Atzeni. Formerly known as Dariym, the Zoustar gelding won three races in France when trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.

Frankie Lor notched a treble, prevailing with the talented Smart Golf in the Class 4 Heung Yee Kuk Centenary Cup Handicap (1200m) under Harry Bentley, Embrace Aberdeen (135lb) in the Class 4 Gladiolus Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Poon before the impressive Salon S clinched the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1400m) to give Poon a treble.

Poon also triumphed on David Hall’s Power Of Vitam landed the Class 3 Primula Handicap (1600m) and earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million after All’s Well bolted in with the Class 4 Peach Blossom Handicap (1400m) under Dylan Browne McMonagle for Dennis Yip.

Hong Kong racing continues on Wednesday night (25 February) at Happy Valley.