Jockey Club presents cash incentive to Hong Kong Winter Olympics team member for first time, commending Joey Lam for historic achievement

The Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) Presentation Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games was held today (3 May), with The Hong Kong Jockey Club presenting a cash incentive of HK$375,000 to Hong Kong, China team representative Joey Lam Ching-yan. The award was in recognition of her historic seventh-place finish in the Women’s Short Track Speed Skating 1,500m Final. It marked the first time since the launch of JCAIAS that an award had been presented to a Winter Olympics representative.

Guests in attendance at today’s ceremony included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Tang King-shing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute; and representatives from the Hong Kong, China delegation.

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said that since the launch of Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme in 2023, nearly HK$95 million in cash incentives has been granted to Hong Kong, China athletes in recognition to their achievements in major sports events, providing them with support and encouraging them to keep striving for excellence and bring glory to Hong Kong.

Officiating at the event, Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, noted that Hong Kong, China sent four athletes to the Winter Olympics to compete in short track speed skating and alpine skiing events. Among them, short track speed skater Joey Lam Ching-yan, making her Olympic debut, achieved seventh place in the women’s 1500m event, marking a historic milestone for Hong Kong at the Winter Olympics. Rosanna Law expressed gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its continuous support through the “Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme”, which encourages and recognises athletes who achieve outstanding results at major sporting events.

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said Lam’s display of speed and determination not only set a new record for the Hong Kong, China team at the Winter Olympics, but also exemplified the perseverance and “can-do” spirit of Hong Kong athletes. He added that Lam’s achievement helps to raise public interest in winter sports, encouraging youngsters to participate and pursue their dreams. He also noted that over the past decade, the Club has contributed nearly HK$6.7 billion to support elite and community sports, and will continue to advance Hong Kong’s sports development for the betterment of society.

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said that since the launch of Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme in 2023, nearly HK$95 million in cash incentives has been granted to Hong Kong, China athletes in recognition to their achievements in major sports events, providing them with support and encouraging them to keep striving for excellence and bring glory to Hong Kong.

“It is a great honour to compete on the Olympic stage. Racing alongside world-class athletes was an invaluable experience,” Joey Lam Ching-yan said. “It reinforced my belief that you should never give up until the very last moment. I sincerely thank my coaches for their dedicated guidance and my family for their unconditional support. I am also grateful to the HKSAR Government, the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Club, the SF&OC and the community for their encouragement and support.”

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (from left) with Hong Kong, China team representative Joey Lam Ching-yan, Darren Kwok and Adrian Yung at the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme Presentation Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

The Club launched the three-year JCAIAS in 2023, sponsoring the HKSI to provide cash awards to Hong Kong, China athletes who win medals in major sports events. These include the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, World University Games, National Games and National Para Games, and respective winter Games. For the Olympic and Paralympic Games, athletes who finish in fourth to eighth place are also rewarded. To date, nearly HK$95 million in cash incentives has been granted under the JCAIAS.

Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (front row, 4th left); Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (front row, 3rd left); Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (front row, 1st left); Tang King-shing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (front row, 2nd left) and guests, join Hong Kong, China team representative Joey Lam Ching-yan (front row, 3rd right), Darren Kwok (front row, 2nd right) and Adrian Yung (front row, 1st right) at the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme Presentation Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy sports. Funded jointly by the Club and the Government, the HKSI (then called the Jubilee Sports Centre) opened in 1982. In 1992, the Club’s Charities Trust provided an endowment of HK$200 million to establish a trust fund, now called the Hong Kong Jockey Club Elite Athletes Fund. In 2021, the Club pledged HK$150 million in funding to match the HKSAR Government’s HK$150 million grant for the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme.

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (from left) with Hong Kong, China team representative Joey Lam Ching-yan, Darren Kwok and Adrian Yung at the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme Presentation Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

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.