Sha Tin enters new era with opening phase of HK$2 billion redevelopment

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has completed the first part of a five-stage development plan at Sha Tin racecourse, beginning a HK$2 billion overhaul that aims to set a fresh benchmark in global racing.

The initial works have delivered modernised facilities for jockeys, four newly renovated stables for trainers and upgraded facilities for stable staff.

The Club’s executive director of racing, Andrew Harding, said the upgrades reflected the organisation’s view that jockeys should be treated as elite athletes with the infrastructure to match.

 “The Centre of Excellence we’ve developed is because our jockeys are elite athletes, and for elite athletes to perform at their best, they need the best facilities and the best support services,” Harding said. “But it’s not just our jockeys. When we go through our renovated stables, we’ve also had a mind to the welfare of the staff there, so they can also achieve their best.”

At the heart of the redevelopment is the renovated facilities for jockeys above the weighing room at Sha Tin racecourse.

“This off-season, we have completed a major upgrade, including a new gymnasium, cold plunge pools and a kitchen offering made-to-order meals tailored to jockeys’ dietary needs. The female jockeys’ room has also been significantly enhanced.”

Stephen Higgins, the Club’s head of raceday operations, said he hopes the new facilities can stand as a global leader, and emphasised the importance of top-class international riders having access to them when they fly over to Hong Kong.

“Our great ambition is that when jockeys come from overseas, their lasting impression of Hong Kong is that we’ve elevated the facilities to a level which they haven’t seen elsewhere,” he said.

“When Ryan Moore and James McDonald come, they will hopefully demand that standard from their jurisdictions and it lifts the standard worldwide.”

Higgins also compared the new approach to developments seen in other professional sports.

“When you see football, even Premier League clubs have realised that if you want your player to be at his best on a Saturday, he’s got to have recovery, mental and physical support all week,” he said. “Here, if a jockey has a fall, within 45 minutes they’ll have had a CT scan and an MRI.”
 

Four stables have been renovated at Sha Tin, which are now occupied by Pierre Ng Pang-chi, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, Cody Mo Wai-kit and Manfred Man Ka-leung.

When asked about the new and improved facilities, such as the new horse walker with roof and sprinkler system, the upgraded ventilation system and additional space, Ng offered a glowing review.

“It is amazing,” he told The Standard. “It’s very impressive and the horses do seem happier than before. The ventilation, the space, the rooftop on the walker, there are a lot of big benefits. 

“It’s like going to a new gym. New machines, new workouts and more space.”

The transformation has also included the installation of 10 treadmills at Sha Tin, eight of which are based at the main complex and two at the Olympic stables at Sha Tin.

“Whether it’s a Class Five horse or Ka Ying Rising, they all have the same access to the best facilities,” Higgins said. “We won’t stand still and we’ll continue to invest in the tracks, the facilities and the surfaces.”

Harding also mentioned that the Club’s ability to carry out the work at Sha Tin owed much to the success of the training facility in mainland China, which has absorbed much of the training load.