Hong Kong 2024/25 racing turnover up three per cent to HK$138.85bn
Total racing wagering turnover for the 2024/25 Hong Kong season was HK$138.85bn (£13.2bn), representing a three per cent increase on the 2023/24 season and an encouraging return to growth after the 4.5 per cent decline last season.
Racing fans enjoyed 88 race meetings over the course of the 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season, including seven summer series fixtures, comprising 847 Hong Kong races and 393 overseas simulcast races.
The growth in racing turnover was driven primarily by optimised jackpot offerings, improved field sizes, increased Mainland and international sports tourism, and the continued success of globalising Hong Kong Racing via commingling combined with the Club’s international simulcast under World Pool Strategy. Hong Kong has developed into a centre of excellence for global racing wagering.
Notably, Hong Kong races attracted record commingling turnover of HK$31.76bn, a 10.1 per cent increase on the 2023/24 season. This strong trend reflects the high profile of Hong Kong racing internationally, with 26 countries and more than 70 partners now commingling on Hong Kong racing. A notable highlight was achieved at the Chinese New Year Raceday in January, with commingling turnover surging by 23.7 per cent to HK$510.4m, setting a new record in the process and surpassing HK$500m for the first time.
This season total racecourse attendance was over 1.7 million, including a record 195,786 Mainland tourists, plus international visitors.
To enhance the quality of the racegoing experience for both regular and tourist racegoers, the Club launched new and upgraded dining and entertainment venues at the racecourses. These included The Beat and Vantage at Happy Valley Racecourse, providing an innovative digital racecourse experience utilising artificial intelligence, while at Sha Tin Racecourse the opening of the renovated Champion Circle and Inner Circle in time for visitors attending FWD Champions Day strengthened the Club’s capability to receive both high-end and general tourists.
The Club also strengthened its famous Happy Wednesday brand at Happy Valley Racecourse – one of the must-dos for tourists visiting Hong Kong – with nine different themed race-night parties, boosting total attendance for the season to around 548,000, a 3.9 per cent increase. At the thrilling season finale meeting at Happy Valley Racecourse yesterday (16 July), there was an exciting jockey parade, with all our jockeys thanking racing fans for their support during the season.
The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “It’s been an amazing season, with outstanding performances by top horses that have truly captured the imagination of fans not just in Hong Kong but around the world. Since the Policy Address of HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, we have been able to attract even more Mainland and overseas tourists, who have come to our racecourses in record numbers to experience our city’s signature sport for themselves. These achievements strengthen the position of Hong Kong racing as a world-class sport and entertainment experience. They have also made an important contribution to Hong Kong tourism as well as underlining Hong Kong’s vital role as a centre for East-West exchange.”
“Hong Kong racing is truly world class and I am immensely proud of the performances of our champion horses, jockeys and trainers. The achievements of amazing horses such as Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble reflect the expertise, dedication and passion of our trainers and jockeys as well as the strong commitment of our owners, who continue to make significant investments to secure the best available equine talent,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
“The contribution of Conghua Racecourse to horse training and care has been nothing short of remarkable. But with the start of international-standard racing in October 2026, Conghua, and the Club, will enter a whole new era. Our aim is to make Conghua a truly iconic and must-go destination, a place not only to enjoy the best racing but also to be truly inspired about all forms of horse sports. There will be an experience centre featuring cutting-edge audio-visuals to engage visitors with an appreciation of the horse and there will be retail, dining and online experiences, all integrated with our racing. We want to make Conghua a truly memorable day out for everyone who visits,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
