Horse Racing in Hong Kong

Horseracing has become a national tradition in Hong Kong . Almost as important to the country of Hong Kong as it is to the state of Kentucky . Hong Kong has made major technological advances in the "Sport of Kings." Horseracing is an integral part of Hong Kong and the most popular spectator sport in Hong Kong.

The first horserace was ran in 1846 at Happy Valley Racecourse. Today, Happy Valley is among the most modern horse racecourses in the world. They feature giant television screens allowing visitors to see the race throughout the track facilities. They also feature computerized betting which has led to the highest turnover in gambling. The Happy Valley Racecourse is also home to the Hong Kong Racing Museum.

The Hong Kong Racing Museum features the rise and popularity of horseracing in Hong Kong . The museum is also home to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Horseracing in Hong Kong began in the 1840's and has since been revolutionized in Hong Kong . There is not a lot of space for racetracks and farms in Hong Kong , so the racecourses have become very hi-tech. They feature state of the art technology in racing and they also have phenomenal amounts betting turnovers. The museum features exhibits on what kind of horse makes a champion as well as exhibits on the famous jockeys and trainers of Hong Kong horseracing. The most amazing exhibit in the museum explains how the Sha Tin Racecourse was built on land that was reclaimed from the sea. There are eight galleries throughout the museum and a showcase cinema as well.

The Sha Tin Racecourse is the newest racecourse in Hong Kong . This racecourse was built by reclaimed land from the South China Sea . The infield of the track features extensive and beautiful landscaping. The infield itself is Hong Kong's largest park and was named Penfold Park . The racecourse is state-of-the-art with a giant television screen that is as long as a 747 airplane. The television screen is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest television.

Horseracing in Hong Kong attracts over 46,000 people per race card. Hong Kong features some of the highest purses in the world and routinely attracts foreign racehorse trainers and owners. The betting pools often reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Hong Kong Horseracing is a unique experience and no horseracing fan should miss it. The Hong Kong Jockey Club regularly reports $10.4 billion annually from betting revenues, while all American racetracks in the country report $12 billion. Horses that race in Hong Kong are top of the line Thoroughbreds and the crowds get as excited as a crowd at a soccer game. Many Hong Kong citizens bet through their cell phones and hand held computers that give them up to date betting odds on horses. Over $215 million in bets are placed everyday. Horseracing betting is the only legal form of betting allowed in Hong Kong , therefore attracting a large number of citizens and tourists.

The Come Horseracing Tour allows tourists to obtain roundtrip transportation to and from the racecourses. The tour allows tourists to sit in the exclusive members enclosure of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. They also receive a buffet meal, drinks, betting tips and a souvenir. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Tourist Badge is HK$100 for normal race days and HK$150 for major race days. Tourists must present their passport for the badge. General admission into the public stands at the racecourses is HK$10.

Horseracing season in Hong Kong lasts from September to early July. Most American tracks only race for two or three months at a time. Horseracing is a truly cultural event in Hong Kong and the excitement is astounding that a visitor should not miss. They take their horseracing seriously in Hong Kong and horseracing there relates to that of football in the United States and soccer games in the U.K.