The new horse racing season kicked off at Sha Tin Racecourse on 10 September with an artistic twist, thanks to a collaboration between The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and local artist Jacky Tao Hoi Chuen. Five huge murals featuring racing horses now adorn the walls around the track, transforming sections of the venue into artistic hotspots for fans and the public alike.
“The theme of my murals this time is ‘Racing in HK City’. At the entrance of the public betting hall, I opened the exhibition by letting the audience see the King of Horses and his jockey on the race track, galloping in action,” said the 27-year-old artist Tao, who spent a good amount of time conceptualizing the vibrant designs and meticulously applying hisskills on the intricate, hand-painted murals.
By providing a platform for talented local artists like Tao to showcase their passion and share their perspectives on horse racing, HKJC hopes to help nurture local talents and, at the same time, bring added pleasures for racing enthusiasts. One of the more unique pieces depicts the interior of a stable. “This is a place that the general public seldom gets to witness firsthand, but is very curious about. I hope that through the mural, the public can have a better appreciation of the life of a racehorse,” said Tao.
To bolster audience participation, Tao designed interactive elements into the murals like simulated racehorse feeding stations and photo-taking spots. “The interactive elements are there so that the audience can immerse in the artworks and have fun,” he explained. “It creates a new dimension of engagement for visitors.”
The murals have undoubtedly transformed the otherwise plain walls into photogenic backdrops. Race-goers are now stopping to take selfies in front of the vivid, larger-than-life racing scenes, especially ones showing a sweeping vista of the glittering home stretch filled with a surging stampede of charging horses, their riders delivering whip cracks in a dramatic spectacle of speed and skill.
“Since my father loves horse racing, I have always been exposed to horseracing newspapers since I was a child, especially ahead of the racing season when I could see pictures of different racehorses,” Tao reminisced. “Through these mural artworks, I really wanted to pay tribute to iconic racing moments.”
Tao said he “incorporated subtle details symbolizing Hong Kong's deep-rooted horse racing culture and community into his works.” The artist took great care to portray every intricate detail in the murals – from the colorful jockeys’ outfits and harnesses to the precise shades of the saddles and hoods. Even the roadside local buildings and hawkers selling treats of the bygone years have been included to add authenticity to the pieces.
On actual race days, the dynamic artworks bring the normally fast-paced thrill of a horse race majestically to life on an epic, grand scale. “I wanted the mural to reflect the deep connection between horse racing and everyday life in Hong Kong, as it's not just entertainment but also a culture that is steeped in people’s psyche. While some may see it as just gambling, I believe as an artist, it's important to show how it depicts the vitality and rhythm of life that is so quintessential in Hong Kong,” Tao noted.
Local artist Jacky Tao Hoi Chuen
