Experience Hong Kong horse racing with cutting-edge tech, XR riding, champion horses, and unique cultural thrills at Sha Tin Racecourse.
In the UK, horse racing is steeped in tradition and high-society culture. In Hong Kong, racing is also a part of daily life, but it combines tradition with modern innovation. On September 2nd, the Hong Kong Jockey Club unveiled a series of upgrades for the 2025/26 racing season. The goal is to attract local, Mainland Chinese, and international visitors while showcasing Hong Kong’s unique racing culture.
High-Tech Experiences for Visitors
A new entrance hub connects the MTR (Hong Kong’s Subway System) Racecourse Station to the Sha Tin Racecourse grandstand. It features cutting-edge technology to enhance the visitor experience.
Inside, visitors can explore a virtual stable. Six iconic racehorses appear on giant screens through 3D digital technology and interact with guests in real time. On the top floor, the XR riding simulator lets visitors ride Hong Kong’s champion horses and record short videos to share on social media.
Another area, the digital parade ring, displays life-size virtual horses and offers three AI interactive stations. Guests can explore racing data, track performance stats, and engage with the sport in new ways.
This blend of tradition and technology offers a fresh, immersive experience. It is very different from the formal, classic atmosphere of Royal Ascot in the UK.
A World-Class Racing Stage
Hong Kong has been actively promoting racing tourism, attracting visitors for this unique tourism activity. In the 2024/25 season, 196,000 Mainland Chinese visitors attended races, a record high, up 110% from the previous season.
Although Hong Kong has only around 1,300 active racehorses—less than 1% of the global total—they perform exceptionally well. In 2024, twelve Hong Kong horses scored 115 points or higher in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Champion horses such as KA YING RISING, ROMANTIC WARRIOR, and VOYAGE BUBBLE won 11 top-level international races in the 2024/25 season. These achievements put Hong Kong on the global racing map.
Racing as a Cultural Experience
A local saying goes: “Horses race, dances continue, stocks trade”. It reflects how horse racing has become part of daily life.
Seventy-seven-year-old Hong Kong resident Mr. Wong said, “I have been attending races for decades, two races every week. Watching races with friends while enjoying a beer is more fun than going to a bar.”
First-time visitor Ms. Li from Guangdong said, “Watching horses cross the finish line live is more thrilling than on TV! I would recommend this experience to my friends.”
For many visitors, race day is more than a sport. It is a mix of competition, entertainment, and social life. Unlike the formal atmosphere of traditional UK racecourses, Hong Kong’s races are open and lively, appealing to both older fans and younger audiences.
Charity and Community Impact
Hong Kong racing is also known for its social contributions. As a non-profit organisation, the Hong Kong Jockey Club operates with a model combining horse racing, club facilities, betting, and charity. Surplus revenue is returned to society through taxes and donations supporting education, healthcare, and community projects.
This approach makes horse racing more than a sport or entertainment. It also contributes to social development and creates a strong cultural identity.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by HKCNA, CNS.
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