Jockey Club celebrates its long-standing support for higher education at annual JC Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (28 April) celebrated Hong Kong’s next generation of leaders and innovators at its Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner. In total 110 scholarships and 10 STEM fellowships were presented and 45 graduating JC Scholars recognised. The annual event, which also saw the inauguration of five Endowed Professorships, underlined the Club’s long standing commitment to education and talent development.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (front row, 5th right); Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang (front row, 5th left); Club Stewards Nicolas Hunsworth (front row, 4th left), Dr Henry Chan (front row, 3rd right), Anita Fung(front row, 3rd left), Jackson Woo (front row,2nd right), Philip Lo (front row, 2nd left), Rimsky Yuen (front row, 1st right) and John Lo (1st left); Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 4th right); Club Executive Director, Sports Business, Casper Stylsvig (back row, 1st right);Club Executive Director, Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung (back row, 3rd left);Club Executive Director, People and Organisational Development, Dr Lake Wang (backrow, 2nd left); Club Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security,Moray Taylor-Smith (back row, 3rd right); Club Executive Director, Legal andCompliance, James Bidlake (back row, 2nd right); and Club Chief Transformation Officer,Serena Lin (back row, 1st left) attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

The ceremony was hosted by Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao, who was joined by keynote speaker Professor Anita Elberse, Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School. Witnessing the occasion were Club Stewards, the Club’s CEO and members of the Club’s management team, together with representatives of participating tertiary institutions. Also sharing the joy were family members and friends of award recipients.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao said that the Club well understands that people are Hong Kong’s most precious resource. That is why the Club has long invested in human capital and education, to propel the city’s economic development and sustain the prosperity of our nation.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman’s Scholarship.

In her keynote speech, Professor Anita Elberse reflected on her research into the world’s most accomplished sports and entertainment organisations and emphasised that success is not left to chance, but built on placing people at the centre, setting the highest standards and learning continuously – even in times of success. She encouraged scholars, fellows and professors to pursue excellence with discipline, trust those they work with, and lead in ways that uplift others when it matters most.

Keynote speaker Professor Anita Elberse congratulates awardees at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

Launched in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships were established to nurture compassionate, socially minded leaders for the betterment of society. Over the years, the programme has expanded to encompass vocational education, undergraduates from the Chinese Mainland and overseas studying in Hong Kong, and students who have overcome significant adversity. A new music and dance scholarship has also been introduced for young talent pursuing professional studies in music and dance at leading institutions outside Hong Kong. To date, over HK$1.25 billion1 has been approved, benefiting more than 1,200 outstanding young people.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (front row, centre) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, centre) with graduating JC Scholars.

JC Scholars have continued to make meaningful contributions to society. Over the past year, Striding On Scholars won a number of medals in national and international para table-tennis competitions. Winnie Pang, recipient of a Striding On Scholarship this year, was born with congenital cerebral palsy affecting her right limbs. Despite the challenges, she has demonstrated remarkable discipline in balancing her studies with elite sports training. She represented HKSAR at the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities which took place in December last year, where she won one gold and two silver medals in table tennis.

Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (centre) with JC Scholars Sunny Wong (2nd right), Winnie Pang (1st left), Samantha Yeung (1st right) and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Jeff Lam (2nd left).

Striding On Scholars have achieved outstanding results at national and international para table-tennis competitions. Among them is Winnie Pang (left), who has also received cash awards under the Hong Kong Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme in recognition of her outstanding performance.

JC Scholar Sunny Wong (2nd left) and JC Scholar Winnie Pang (1st right) at a JC Scholar volunteer event.

To cultivate a strong pipeline of innovation and technology talent, the Club established the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024. The Fellowship provides comprehensive support and unique opportunities for early-career researchers to advance research translation, expand professional networks and create social impact.

Deputy Chairman Lester Huang (front row, centre) with recipients of the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application.

Dr Jeff Lam is one of this year’s JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows. After completing his PhD at the University of Cambridge, he chose to return to Hong Kong to research Alzheimer’s disease among the Chinese population. Though East Asians who carry APOE4, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, face a higher risk of developing the disease, Asians, particularly Chinese population, are currently underrepresented in existing studies. He aspires to help fill this critical research gap by generating findings more relevant to Asian communities.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (centre) with JC Scholars Sunny Wong (3rd right), Winnie Pang (1st right), and Samantha Yeung (2nd right); JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Jeff Lam (1st left) and graduating JC Scholars Rex Cheuk (3rd left) and Natalie Mak (2nd left).

JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Jeff Lam conducts research at the JC STEM Lab of Neurobiology and Therapeutics of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The ceremony also marked the first induction of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships, reflecting the Club’s holistic investment in higher education. The Endowed Professorships aim to advance research in areas of global health and sustainability, benefitting communities in Hong Kong and beyond.

Deputy Chairman Lester Huang (centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.

The Club’s support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships, Fellowships and Endowed Professorships, 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.

Pictured with JC Scholars, JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professors are Club Chairman The Hon Martin Liao (front row, 7thleft); keynote speaker Professor Anita Elberse, Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School (front row, 7th right); members of the Club’s Board of Stewards; Club management members and representatives of participating tertiary institutions.

Penfold Park - built and managed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) – has recently been upgraded to enhance the visitor experience. The opening ceremony of Pony World, one of its new community facilities, was held today (5 June) as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign. The facility offers an interactive equestrian experience that combines education and entertainment.

Guests tour the newly constructed facilitates at the Penfold Park including its park office.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin).

Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2nd left,); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); join Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin) (1st right) to officiate at the opening ceremony of Pony World.

Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, noted that the Jockey Club has launched a series of Year of the Horse activities aligned with the policy areas of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Among them, the opening of Pony World seeks to cultivate children’s interest in equestrian sports and raise awareness of animal care through a range of interactive experiences, appealing to both local residents and tourists while promoting the development of equestrian sports. She expressed her sincere thanks to the Club for delivering this educational and recreational facility for the public’s enjoyment.

Guests tour Pony World.

Guests tour Pony World.

Guests tour Pony World.

Officiating at the event, Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the Club worked closely with the Government on Sha Tin’s large-scale land reclamation and new town development, dating back to the 1970s, including the establishment of Sha Tin Racecourse and Penfold Park. The latter served as one of the venues for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, marking a milestone in the development of equestrian sport in the city. He added that the completion of Pony World provides the public with an opportunity to learn about horses by combining education with entertainment. It adds a fresh dimension to Penfold Park and its legacy of community service and Olympic heritage, reflecting not only the Club’s mission to enhance facilities, but also its commitment to popularising equine sports.

Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the completion of Pony World adds a fresh dimension to Penfold Park and its legacy of community service and Olympic heritage.

Close encounters with ponies

Occupying more than 7,700 square metres, Pony World will officially open to the public on 22 June, offering a wide range of equestrian experiences for families and school groups. Visitors can tour the stables, take photos with mini ponies, join interactive workshops and immerse themselves in hands-on learning at the activity zone. Children aged 3 to 14 can also enjoy pony rides. These close encounters aim to deepen the public’s understanding of horses and foster an interest in equestrian activities. Pony World is expected to serve around 17,000 visitors a year. (Please refer to the attachment for activity details).

Guests tour Pony World.

Children aged 3 to 14 can enjoy pony rides.

Children aged 3 to 14 can enjoy pony rides.

Visitors can learn about pony behaviour, care and their unique personalities from professional equestrian coaches in the interactive pony classroom.

The Penfold Park renovation and enhancement work has been underway since 2023. The first two phases have been completed, including upgrades to the park’s landscape and the introduction of various new supporting facilities, such as the Pet Zone, pathway lighting, covered seating areas, a newly constructed park office, toilets and Pony World. Phase Three will commence in due course, further upgrading park facilities and improving connectivity between the park and the Sha Tin Racecourse grandstands, to enhance the overall experience for visitors.

Visitors can learn about pony behaviour, care and their unique personalities from professional equestrian coaches in the interactive pony classroom.

Visitors can visit the stables for a behind-the-scenes look at where the ponies live and learn the basics of horse care.

Visitors can visit the stables for a behind-the-scenes look at where the ponies live and learn the basics of horse care.

As a world-class sports and entertainment organisation, the Club is committed to equine sports development in Hong Kong. Initiatives range across the retraining of retired racehorses to the operation of public riding schools and provision of high-level coaching and professional support to equestrian riders through the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, as well as technical and logistical support for major equestrian events. All this is made possible by the Club’s unique integrated business model of world-class racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution.

Visitors create magical moments with Shetland ponies.

Visitors create magical moments with Shetland ponies.

The activity zone offers a series of engaging activities designed to enhance the public’s understanding of ponies.

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.

Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (4th left, front row); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle, front row); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right, front row); Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left, front row); and Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin) (2nd right, front row), join the Club’s Board of Management and other guests for a group photo.