Jockey Club’s JC YUP holds showcase to celebrate upward mobility potential of youth

Young people are a vital force for societal progress. To enhance upward social mobility among youth, and in line with the goals set out in the Government’s Youth Development Blueprint, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust launched JC YUP in 2025 with a donation of over HK$440 million. The project’s innovative strategy provides targeted interventions at the three critical development junctures in young people’s transition from school to work. It supports young people in building a sense of pride, broadening their career horizons and laying a solid foundation for a positive career trajectory as they begin their working lives.

To highlight the proud moments of young people participating in the project, the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” was held today (17 July), bringing together students, school representatives and NGO partners to share their experiences, learning journeys from self-initiated challenges and achievements from the past year. Officiating at the opening ceremony were Edward Yau, JC YUP Advisory Committee Convenor; and Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Edward Yau, JC YUP Advisory Committee Convenor (4th right), Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left) and other guests officiate at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Winnie Ying noted that nurturing children and youth in families is one of the priority areas of the Club’s charities strategy, and the Club supports a wide array of youth activities and services in the community. Through JC YUP, the Club hopes to provide targeted interventions at three critical stages of youth development and identify effective evidence-based approaches that enable community resources to be deployed in a more targeted manner and achieve sustainable impact.

Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, shared at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

This ultimately helps young people establish positive development trajectories and creates greater opportunities for upward mobility over the long term. She added that she hopes the unique proud moments created by young people through the project become a driving force in their growth journey. Also at the event, Edward Yau shared his personal experiences to encourage young people to build the confidence to challenge themselves and explore life’s limitless possibilities.

JC YUP is one of the five youth development initiatives supported by the Club's Charities Trust under a HK$1.4 billion commitment announced in celebration of the Club's 140th anniversary last year. Collaborating with 25 partners, including schools, NGOs, universities and the business sector, the five-year JC YUP project adopts an adaptive intervention design to provide individualised and timely support according to each young person’s development needs and trajectory, as well as the rapidly changing environment.

Students from JC YUP participating schools perform at the “Say YUP! Proud Moment Showcase” opening ceremony.

The first stage of the project enables Form 1 students to create “Proud Moments” through self-initiated challenges, which build confidence and a sense of pride. The second stage of the project provides different types of workplace experience for young people to understand multiple pathways and various future job roles. The third stage of the project is a two-year “Professional Traineeship” programme for young people entering the workforce, creating a new progression pathway connecting school and theworkplace. JC YUP is expected to pilot in 50 secondary schools and benefit 30,000 students. For more details, please visit: https://www.jcyup.hk/en

Students from JC YUP participating schools and NGO partners share their experiences and learning outcomes from the past year.

In addition to donations, the Club’s Human Resources Department supported the project by organising a one-week career exploration and internship programme last month for five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools. Hosted by various divisions across the Club, the students gained first-hand exposure to a wide range of functions, workplace environments and career pathways.

Group photo.

Over the years, the Club has initiated and supported a wide range of programmes that empower young people to realise their potential and contribute as active citizens. In addition to CLAP@JC, which has uplifted the professional standards and service quality of career and life development education and services, 21C@JC, which has transformed youth service in the digital era, and JC LevelMind, which provides “Always On” mental wellbeing support services, the Club has supported the HKSAR Government’s annual youthfest@HK since its launch three years ago, which features a wide range of activities designed to bring young people together and to inspire them to realise a hopeful future. The Club has also supported the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme for over three consecutive years. The programme helps young people from underprivileged backgrounds broaden their horizons, strengthen their self-confidence and set goals for the future.

Five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools took part in a one-week career exploration and internship programme organised by the Club last month.

The Club’s support for JC YUP, 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.

Five Form 4 students from JC YUP participating schools took part in a one-week career exploration and internship programme organised by the Club last month.

Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris enjoyed dream debuts in Great Britain on Saturday (8 August) at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup with breakthrough wins from their first rides, while Team Hong Kong fell valiantly short of overall success behind Team Great Britain & Ireland.

Chau, 26, patiently guided Tuco Salamanca between runners to strike his landmark win in the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap (1000m) before Ferraris, 24, pounced late aboard Dancing In Paris to capture the Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap (3190m), with both victories lifting Team Hong Kong to an early lead with 15 points awarded for each triumph.

Jerry Chau jubilates following his maiden success at Ascot. Photo source: HKJC

Chau said: “I’m so excited now. I’m very happy I could win the first one then Luke won the second for our team. It’s a lovely feeling to ride at this track. It has uphill and downhill, and it is a very different experience to Hong Kong. I’m very happy I can ride with top jockeys.”

Trained by Ollie Sangster, Tuco Salamanca settled off the pace as Chau bided his time. Let loose late, the four-year-old gelding sailed past a defiant Gold Star Hero – rated an outsider in the race at 19/1 odds – under Team Hong Kong’s captain, Vincent Ho, by one and a half lengths in a winning time of 58.61s.

Jerry Chau and Tuco Salamanca take out the Shergar Cup Dash Handicap. Photo source: HKJC

“He was a very calm horse down to the gates and I was pretty confident with him because he saved a lot of energy before the race. He jumped pretty good and I just let him follow – which (is what) they told me to do. After the 400 (metre mark) I knew he could win – he gave me a very good finish,” Chau said. “They trained him very well.”

Hugging the inside rail behind the leader, Ferraris peeled the Ian Williams-trained Dancing In Paris into clear space over the final 200m to edge a length in front of Shrimp Shady and Ryan Moore in a time of 3m 29.38s, earning the award for the Shergar Cup’s Ride of the Day.

Ferraris said: “It definitely lived up to expectations, walking through the archway when it’s for you is very special. It’s really special to have my family here and some of their friends. It’s great to be representing Hong Kong and hopefully doing them proud.

“Well done to the trainer and connections. I was a bit worried it was going to catch him out that last bend, but he got a great tow up the hill. When he got inside the final furlong (200m), he still had gears.”

Luke Ferraris celebrates victory aboard Dancing In Paris at Ascot. Photo source: HKJC

Four-time LONGINES World’s Best Jockey (2014, 2016, 2021 & 2023) Ryan Moore, making his first Shergar Cup appearance since 2006, won two of the programme’s six races to help Team Great Britain & Ireland secure first prize.

Moore got the best out of the Dylan Cunha-trained Asgard’s Captain in the Shergar Cup Challenge Handicap (2392m) before driving Archers Bay for Marco Botti – trainer of Sha Tin Group 1 winner Giavellotto – to victory in the Shergar Cup Classic Handicap (2392m).

Saffie Osborne – team captain of Great Britain & Ireland – middled Moore’s brace aboard Red Spells Danger for trainer Tim Easterby in the Shergar Cup Sprint Handicap (1200m), defeating race favourite Thunder Call and Chau, who rallied gamely into second place.

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, attends the Shergar Cup to cheer on Team Hong Kong. Photo source: HKJC

Great Britain & Ireland led 71-62 over Team Hong Kong heading into the finale, the Shergar Cup Mile (1594m), which was won by jockey Frida Valle Skar aboard the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Crown Board for Team Europe, who were first and second in the contest to match Team Hong Kong’s 62 points, but placed third at the conclusion following a countback due to Team Hong Kong’s two wins.

Great Britain & Ireland boosted their tally to 81 points following Moore’s third aboard Ozat in the closing race, while the Rest of the World team were fourth overall on 39 points. Moore secured the Silver Saddle having accumulated the most points for his team.

Ho said: Overall, I’m really happy and I am really with the team. A winner each for them and some placings as well, so it was really good. Ascot is a great racetrack to race on, and the atmosphere is always great. Also, with all of the top jockeys in the world everyone raced super clean and tidy. Everyone performed really good.”

Vincent Ho makes his second appearance at the Shergar Cup. Photo source: HKJC

Ho will next ride at Deauville in France on Sunday, 9 August, where he’ll partner Group 2 winner Ponntos in the Listed Prix du Cercle (1000m).