How Hong Kong managed to weather the coronavirus storm

Happy Valley: recorded record turnover at its final meeting of the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Betting turnover on horseracing in Hong Kong for the season which finished last Wednesday was down just 2.6 per cent despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis and political events.

Total turnover for the 2019-20 season was HK$121.6 billion (£12.2bn/€13.6bn), the third-highest total recorded, while the campaign ended at Happy Valley with turnover of HK$1.6bn (£160 million/€179m), a record for a fixture at the venue.

Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: "While we recognise that the coronavirus situation is an ongoing battle, and we must remain vigilant, I can say that it has been heartening to see the Hong Kong community pull together and play a crucial part in combating its effects; the Hong Kong Jockey Club has been quick to reflect and enact those safeguarding measures and policies while continuing to race.

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Bill BarberIndustry editor

Published on 20 July 2020inFeatures

Last updated 16:57, 20 July 2020

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