Horse Racing

Hong Kong is a fashion and magic city. It has world-class buildings, the quick-pace life and all kinds of the entertainment facilities. Besides shopping in the malls, having fun in the Ocean Park and Disneyland, you can also enjoy the state-of-the-art horse racing events and betting service in the racecourses.

There are two racecourses in Hong Kong: Happy Valley Racecourse and Sha Tin Racecourse. The Happy Valley Racecourse is the first racecourse, which was built by filling up a swamp, and the first Race Meeting was held in 1846. From then on, it was held every year till now. In 1978, Hong Kong Jockey Club built a new world-class racecourse, the Sha Tin Racecourse.

From September to the next June is the house-racing season and the event is available twice-weekly. Happy Valley Racecourse is mainly opened for night race that takes place on Wednesday. Sha Tin Racecourse is mainly used for day race that takes place during weekend and holiday. If you want to attend the race meeting to feel the tension of the exciting race or have the enjoyment of betting, choose one of the racecourses according to your time. Please note that people under 18 are not allowed to bet or enter premises where bets are accepted.

Option One: Victoria Park - Happy Valley Racecourse - Racing Museum

By visiting the Happy Valley Racecourse, it is recommended to plan the Victoria Park and the Racing Museum prior to the exciting racing experience, because the race generally starts at 19:15 every Wednesday. Victoria Park and the Happy Valley Racecourse, both are located in Causeway Bay. You may take the MTR Island Line and get off at Causeway Bay Station (Exit E), and then walk to the park along Great George Street. This park is the largest public park in Hong Kong Island, providing the citizens not only a secluded beautiful area, but also many sports facilities. It is also the place to holding many activities during holidays.

After that, you can take bus no. 8x or 19 to the Happy Valley Racecourse. The entrance fee for the public enclosure is HK$10. In the second floor of Happy Valley stand, Hong Kong Horse Racing Museum is located there (Opening time: 12:00 - 21:00). The museum will show you the history and development of horseracing in Hong Kong. After that, enjoy the thrill races, which happen every 30 minutes with an average of 8 races, and you can see the horses and jockeys up close. You can even try your hand at betting for one of the horses. The racecourse also offers a selection of palatable choices from an upscale restaurant, terrace eatery, ice cafe, and bar to beer garden.

Option Two: Hong Kong Heritage Museum - Sha Tin Racecourse

The Sha Tin Racecourse is located in New Territories. Before that, you may visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum to understand the unique culture of Hong Kong. Take the East Rail and get off at Tai Wai Station or Shatin Station. Then, walk for 15 minutes to the museum. It is a traditional Chinese compound, housing twelve exhibition galleries with a variety of themes ranging from history to art to culture. Then take a taxi to Sha Tin Racecourse within a few minutes. This racecourse has a seating capacity of more than 60,000 people. Towards the stand, there is a huge video screen which is the longest and largest outdoor screen in the world. It even found its way in the Guinness World Records books. The race usually starts at 13:00. The admission fee for the public enclosure is also HK$10. If you want to go to the Member's enclosure, you need to pay as much as HK$190.