The 2022/23 racing season kicks off on Sunday, 11 September at Sha Tin Racecourse with the Season Opening race meeting (Photo 1), welcoming customers with an advanced booking enjoy an exciting 10-race programme, which features the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m).

The new season will be ushered in with the traditional gong-striking ceremony, taking place in the Parade Ring at 12:00pm, after a lion dance performance, when all jockeys in attendance will wish fans the very best for the season.

To usher in the new season, the jackpot rollover with total estimated dividends of HK$45 million and HK$43 million are up for grabs, respectively, for the first Sha Tin meeting (11 September) and the first Happy Valley meeting (14 September). A total of HK$88 million (Photo 2) will be on offer across the season opening fixtures.

Each racegoer will receive one complimentary 2022/23 Racing Calendar* for free as a door gift upon admission (Photo 3).

Advanced booking a must for admission

Booking of all venues is available. Only customers who have made an advance booking will be admitted. Customers may visit https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/ for more information. All attending customers must follow the admission restrictions and health protocols. For details on admission arrangements, please refer to the 30 August, 2022 press release.

A spectacular line-up of on-course events

The opening ceremony will take place in the Parade Ring at 12:00pm. It will start with the traditional eye-dotting of ceremonial lions, followed by the gong-striking ceremony. Jockeys will also be in attendance to wish fans the very best for the coming season. The HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup is scheduled to run as Race 4 at 2:30pm.

Gongs to wish good luck will be set up on the day. Fans can strike the lucky gongs at Sha Tin Racecourse for a positive start to the new season. Participants may have the chance to receive a special prize (while stock lasts) by joining the Racing Beat Game (Photo 4) in the Public Betting Hall.

Attendees can enjoy a virtual tour of the world-class training facilities for Hong Kong’s thoroughbred racehorses at Conghua Racecourse (CRC) (Photo 5). Fans can watch gallopers roam around the stables and find out how horses are trained at CRC. To further enhance the virtual reality experience, racegoers can try the CRC Virtual Tour 2.0 with new features.

Free 2022/23 Racing Calendar for racegoers

All racegoers who enter Sha Tin or Happy Valley Racecourse on Sunday, 11 September will receive one complimentary 2022/23 Racing Calendar. Copies will also be available for purchase at Gift at Races at Sha Tin Racecourse on the same day. From Monday, 12 September, the calendars will be available for purchase at all Off-course Betting Branches and Gift at Races retail stores while stock lasts.

Sha Tin Racecourse will be open for admission at 11:00am on Sunday, 11 September, with the first race starting at 1:00pm. Happy Valley Racecourse will also open at 11:00am.

Please refer to the terms and conditions for the event details. For enquiries, please call the HKJC Customer Hotline 1817 or visit https://campaigns.hkjc.com/season-opening/en/. All racegoers and customers must be aged 18 or above. 

* Available while stocks last at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses