Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club ( HKJC ,香港 赛马 会) is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, which was founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. During the colonial rule of the club was under royal patronage and was until 1996 the name "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" (英皇 御 准 香港 赛马 会).
It is a non-profit organization, are offered in the horse racing, sports betting and entertainment. The club has a monopoly on horse betting, Mark Six lotteries (comparable to Lotto 6 from 49 ) and betting on foreign football events. The organization is the largest taxpayer in Hong Kong and the largest private donor for charities, donates about 130 million U.S. dollars per year. The club has about 20,000 members.
History
The club was founded in 1884 as an amateur club to promote horse racing. Membership was extremely exclusive and there was until the beginning of the 20th century hardly Chinese members. Status for professional club was changed in 1971.
Since 1998, the German Winfried Engelbrecht - Bresges is race director of the club.
Olympic Games 2008
In July 2005, it was decided that the equestrian competitions of the Olympic Games will be held in Hong Kong in 2008. The grounds of the international horse racing center in Sha Tin is used as a base for the Olympics. Additional Sweep and training venues were integrated into existing sports facilities of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the Jockey Club Beas River Country Club and in the existing golf course.