The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (16 January) launched its Year of the Horse (YOTH) campaign, a year-long series of events to honour the profound bond between horses and humans and the special role of the horse in Chinese culture and Hong Kong’s own history. The campaign will unite the community through thrilling races, international equestrian spectacles, and a special series of cultural, sporting, and family events. It will be a community celebration, a tourist attraction, and an opportunity to promote equine and community sports development.

The horse is an enduring emblem of perseverance and strength – qualities that resonate deeply with Hong Kong’s own “can-do” spirit.  The city’s status as a world leader in racing and the on-going development of equestrian sport is a point of immense pride and a significant contributor to the nation’s development. The Club, through its unique integrated business model, channels this equine excellence into tangible benefits for the whole community.

The Year of the Horse is an especially auspicious year for the Club. The YOTH campaign is a year-long celebration of the special role of horses and horse racing during their 140 years of history in Hong Kong and with deep roots in our community.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said, “Racing is a symbol of Hong Kong’s never give-up can-do spirit, its resilience and striving for excellence.  It is a symbol of the city’s stability under One Country Two Systems.”

He added, “It is Hong Kong’s favourite pastime and has become globally recognised as world-class.  It makes Hong Kong proud when Hong Kong horses are successful in global competitions in Hong Kong and overseas. It is more than a sport as its impact via the integrated business model of the Club has made contributions to Hong Kong economically and socially; which fulfills the Club’s purpose of acting for the betterment of society.”  

To spread the message of honouring the bond between horse and human, the Club has appointed music and film superstar Aaron Kwok as the “Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Year of the Horse Ambassador”. He will participate in a range of community initiatives and events throughout the campaign and will also produce the official Year of the Horse theme song, reflecting his love for horses and commitment to the sport of racing.

Aaron Kwok said, “I am honoured to serve as HKJC’s Year of the Horse Ambassador.  As a horse owner of many years, I deeply appreciate the spirit of perseverance, vitality, and passion embodied in horses and horse racing. These qualities have been a constant inspiration in my artistic career.” He added that through his role as YOTH ambassador, he hoped to share this understanding and passion with the public, and looked forward to upcoming family activities organized by the Club, inspiring everyone to embrace the hope and momentum of the Year of the Horse.

Other guests attending the YOTH campaign launch included Angelina Cheung, Commissioner for Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Perry Yiu, Chairman of China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd and Legislative Councillor; Vivian Kong, Legislative Councillor; Andrew Yeung, General Manager, Event & Product Development of Hong Kong Tourism Board; and Angela Chan, General Manager, Business Development of Hong Kong Tourism Board. Representatives from the YOTH campaign’s organising and partnering organisations were also present, including Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; international cross-disciplinary artist Simon Ma, who is specialised in horse art; Richard Ireland; Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Events, organiser of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026; and Thomas Mustroph, Director Business Development of the CAVALLUNA Horse Show.

Year-long initiative showcases the profound ties between horse and humanity

The Year of the Horse campaign highlights the enduring bond between humankind and the horse. It is a tribute to one of the most enduring partnerships in history – the bond between horse and rider. This connection, built on trust, strength and shared purpose continues to inspire today. A yearlong spotlight on this unique connection will commence with the prestigious LONGINES Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026, where the Club will serve as Strategic Partner. The three-day event will feature world-class showjumping and equestrian performances, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club Asian Youth Challenge and a musical riding performance featuring retired racehorses. 

In September, CAVALLUNA – Europe’s largest and most popular horseshow – will make its Asian debut at Kai Tak Arena through a partnership with the Club. Over fifty horses and top international show-riders combine with music, dance and theatre to create a unique and spectacular showcase of horsemanship and storytelling. This magical family experience celebrates the enduring wonder of the horse.

Throughout the year, major racedays including the BMW Hong Kong Derby, FWD Champions Day, and the Longines Hong Kong International Races will continue to reaffirm Hong Kong’s position as a global leader in racing. Attracting the world’s best jockeys and horses, these events draw international visitors and local fans to the city’s most popular spectator sport.

October will herald a new era with the much-anticipated launch of regular racing, equestrian events, and entertainment at the Club’s Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou. This milestone represents a significant advance in the development of racing and equestrian excellence for the Greater Bay Area, forging a dynamic, ongoing connection between Hong Kong and the mainland, through the power of the horse.

Chinese New Year festivities to welcome the Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year is always a highlight in Hong Kong’s festive calendar, drawing thousands of tourists to share in the traditional festivities.  This year, the occasion will be even more special as the Club ushers in the Year of the Horse with a series of exciting events.

On 17 February (the first day of Chinese New Year), the Club will once again join the International Chinese New Year Night Parade. HKJC Equestrian Team rider and Asian Championship medallist Patrick Lam, together with jockey Britney Wong will ride on the Club’s horse-themed float greeting the public.

On 18 February (second day of Chinese New Year), the Club Presents: “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong” Year of the Horse Fireworks Display. Victoria Harbour will light up with a dazzling firework display exclusively sponsored by the Club. The 23-minute fireworks spectacle, divided into eight scenes, will feature horse elements and auspicious symbols to welcome in the new year.

In conjunction, the Club will also support spectacular drone shows in Conghua and Shanghai as the Year of the Horse is welcomed across the country.

On 19 February (third day of Chinese New Year), the 2026 Year of the Horse Raceday will be held at Sha Tin Racecourse. A festive programme of feature races and themed activities will be held to welcome in the Year of the Horse alongside racing fans and raceday tourists.

Cultural and community connections
The horse has been woven into human history and culture for millennia. Through the Year of the Horse campaign, the Club will bring this cultural significance to life, engaging residents and visitors, through art, heritage and community experiences.

The Club will support exhibitions held by the Palace Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum that explore the role of the horse in Chinese history and culture. These exhibitions will draw mainly on the valuable cultural resources of the Palace Museum to showcase the magnificence of Chinese traditional heritage and culture.

Horse Power, a groundbreaking film and powerful cinematic tribute to the symbolic traits of the horse in the Chinese zodiac will be brought to audiences with the Club’s support. This epic film showcases the extraordinary abilities of horses and their profound bond with humanity.

From February onwards, a series of horse sculptures created by international artist Simon Ma, will tour various districts across the city, ensuring the entire community can enjoy these remarkable works. Two striking four-metre-high horse sculptures will be displayed at the Sha Tin Racecourse Forecourt for the 2026 Year of the Horse Raceday. Their dynamic pose of running side by side symbolises the unity between the Club and the community. An additional 18 horse sculptures will then join the exhibition tour, with students invited to paint them and evening light projections open for all to see.

The campaign will also be marked by the grand opening of Pony World, an innovative new equestrian facility at Penfold Park. Offering pony rides, stable visits and an interactive learning zone, it will provide exciting new opportunities for the public – especially children – to learn, understand and engage with ponies, right in the heart of the word-famous Sha Tin Racecourse.

For more information on the Year of the Horse Campaign please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH. Please refer to Attachment 1 for further details.

Attachments
1 Overview of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign
2 Introduction to the The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents: “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong” Year of the Horse Fireworks Display

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.