Total racing wagering turnover for the 2024/25 Hong Kong season reached HK$138.85 billion (approximately £13.2 billion), reflecting a 3.0% increase from the 2023/24 season and signalling a promising return to growth after a 4.5% decline the previous year.
Throughout the 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season, fans enjoyed 88 race meetings, including seven summer series fixtures. In total, there were 847 local races and 393 overseas simulcast races.
The growth in turnover was primarily driven by enhanced jackpot structures, improved field sizes, a rise in both Mainland and international sports tourism, and the continued globalisation of Hong Kong racing through commingling and the Club’s international simulcast efforts under the World Pool Strategy. Hong Kong has firmly established itself as a global hub for racing wagering. 
Hong Kong races drew record commingling turnover of HK$31.76 billion, up 10.1% compared to the previous season. This growth highlights the increasing international profile of Hong Kong racing, with 26 countries and over 70 partners now engaged in commingling. A standout moment came during the Chinese New Year Raceday in January, where commingling turnover soared 23.7% to HK$510.4 million, setting a new record and surpassing the HK$500 million mark for the first time.
Local fans also benefitted from the Government’s approval of additional simulcasts. The Club hosted 393 simulcast races during the 2024/25 season, a 7% rise from 368 the previous year, with enhanced racing information provided for international audiences. The simulcast calendar prioritised the world’s Top 100 Group/Grade 1 races, reinforcing the international dimension of Hong Kong wagering. Of the simulcasted races, 71 had featured in the IFHA’s Top 100 within the past three years, up from 61 the year before. Overall simulcast turnover (including World Pool commingling) grew by 2.3% to HK$13.11 billion.
Through the World Pool initiative, the Club aims to deliver global parimutuel wagering with substantial liquidity on top-tier international races. This season, the number of World Pool races expanded from 258 to 296, for the first time including all 12 of the Club’s Group 1 events and major races from New Zealand. Commingling turnover into the World Pool (excluding Club races) rose 8.4% year-on-year.
Attendance and the surge in Mainland and international visitors
This season, total racecourse attendance exceeded 1.7 million, including a record-breaking 195,786 visitors from Mainland China, along with international guests. This represents a 110% increase from the 93,000 Mainland tourists recorded last year. Major racedays such as the Chinese New Year Raceday, BMW Hong Kong Derby, and FWD Champions Day each attracted 9,000 tourists. Flagship events like the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day also drew high-end international guests.
Recognition of racing tourism by the HKSAR Chief Executive in his Policy Address, its inclusion in the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Tourism Blueprint 2.0, and a landmark strategic partnership between the Club and China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited have collectively provided strong momentum to elevate the city’s racing tourism sector.
To enhance the visitor experience, the Club launched and upgraded several dining and entertainment venues. These included The Beat and Vantage at Happy Valley Racecourse, which introduced digital enhancements powered by AI. At Sha Tin Racecourse, renovations to the Champion Circle and Inner Circle were completed in time for FWD Champions Day, strengthening the Club’s capability to host both high-end and general tourists.
The Club also expanded its popular Happy Wednesday brand at Happy Valley — a must-do experience for many visitors to Hong Kong — with nine themed race-night parties, raising season attendance to around 548,000, a 3.9% increase. The season finale at Happy Valley on 16 July featured a jockey parade, where riders thanked fans for their passionate support.
Hong Kong’s champion horses shine globally
The achievements of Hong Kong’s top horses — Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior, and Voyage Bubble — further elevated the city’s reputation as a centre of world-class racing during a historic and record-breaking season.
Led by this trio, Hong Kong-based horses captured 11 of the world’s elite Group 1 races in 2024/25. Eight of the city’s major races were also ranked among the 2024 LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group/Grade 1 races, affirming the Club’s status as a venue for top-tier competition.
Twelve Hong Kong-trained horses earned international ratings of 115 or higher in the 2024 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising both achieved a rating of 126, placing them joint-fourth globally alongside Delacroix, while Voyage Bubble earned a rating of 121, ranking joint 15th. These results are remarkable, given Hong Kong’s horse population is under 1,300, less than 1% of the global total.
Club CEO Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted: “It’s been an outstanding season, with exceptional performances from our leading horses that have captivated fans worldwide. The rise in Mainland and international visitors is testament to the growing appeal of Hong Kong racing. Our efforts have reinforced the sport’s global stature and made a substantial contribution to Hong Kong tourism.”
Hong Kong’s two premier events — the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day — again highlighted local talent. Competing against 41 overseas contenders from seven nations, Hong Kong horses secured victories in five of the seven Group 1 races.
Among the season’s standout horses:
- Ka Ying Rising won eight races in a single season, including four Group 1 victories, becoming the world’s top-rated sprinter. He broke Sha Tin’s 1200m course record twice and extended his winning streak to 12 races. He also secured the HK$5 million Hong Kong Speed Series bonus.
- Romantic Warrior made history as the first Hong Kong-trained horse to win Group 1 races in four jurisdictions (Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Dubai), including a record-breaking G1 Jebel Hatta victory. His consistent global performance made him the highest-earning racehorse in the world.
- Voyage Bubble became the first Hong Kong Triple Crown winner in 31 years, matching River Verdon’s legendary feat by winning the G1 Stewards’ Cup, G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, and G1 Champions & Chater Cup.
Top trainers and jockeys also set new records. John Size won his 13th trainers’ championship with 69 wins. Zac Purton claimed his eighth champion jockey title with 138 wins and surpassed Douglas Whyte’s all-time record, ending the season with 1,878 victories. Matthew Poon earned the Tony Cruz Award for top home-grown jockey.
Looking ahead: Increased prize money and Conghua expansion
Group 1 prize money will rise again in the 2025/26 season to a record HK$208 million. FWD Champions Day will see the QEII Cup increased to HK$30 million and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize to HK$24 million. For the December LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, prize money for the Sprint and Vase will rise to HK$28 million and HK$26 million respectively, with the Mile and Cup remaining at HK$36 million and HK$40 million.
Conghua Racecourse continued to play a vital role, with 440 horses training there this season. These horses won 302 races, up 24.3% on last year. The Club is preparing to host regular race meetings at Conghua starting in October 2026. The nearly completed grandstand will position Conghua, alongside Sha Tin and Happy Valley, as part of a triad of premier racing destinations in the Greater Bay Area. The facility will also support the National Equine Industry Development Plan and introduce an immersive racecourse experience.
“Conghua has already made a huge contribution to Hong Kong racing, but with international-standard racing set to begin in 2026, it will take things to an entirely new level,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We aim to make it a must-visit destination for horse lovers and racing fans alike, offering interactive experiences, hospitality, and more.”
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