Sha Tin Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing
in Hong Kong
. It is located in Sha Tin
in the New Territories
. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club
.
Penfold Park
is encircled by the track.
, the then-Secretary for the New Territories) on reclaimed land and is the larger of the two tracks in Hong Kong
.
The course has 474 races per season including:
On September 9, 2007, Sha Tin race track
opened for the season with record 1-day crowd of about 60,000. Chief Secretary Henry Tang
stroke the ceremonial gong
. The Hong Kong Jockey Club
collected US$106 million in bets (highest since 2001). Children of horse
owners were admitted amid protest of local anti-gambling groups. Sunny Power, booted by Howard Cheng got the trophy
in the 1,200 metre dash.
Other features include:
Track Specifications:
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It is located in Sha Tin
Sha Tin District
Sha Tin District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. One of the 9 districts located in the New Territories, it covers the areas of Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Fo Tan, Siu Lek Yuen and Ma Liu Shui . The district has the highest population...
in the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
.
Penfold Park
Penfold Park
Penfold Park is a famous public park managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Sha Tin, Hong Kong.The park is located in the centre of the Sha Tin Racecourse with a gross area of over 20 acres. It features green areas, as well as pools used by various waterbirds. People around the area often go...
is encircled by the track.
History
It was built in 1978 (under the administration of Sir David Akers-JonesDavid Akers-Jones
Sir David Akers-Jones, KBE, CMG, GBM, JP was the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong from 1985 to 1987, and was briefly Acting Governor of Hong Kong.-Biography:...
, the then-Secretary for the New Territories) on reclaimed land and is the larger of the two tracks in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
The course has 474 races per season including:
- Sha Tin Racecourse Silver Jubilee Cup
- Sha Tin Sprint Trophy
On September 9, 2007, Sha Tin race track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
opened for the season with record 1-day crowd of about 60,000. Chief Secretary Henry Tang
Henry Tang
Henry Tang Ying-yen, GBM, GBS, JP was the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong until his resignation in September 2011. He is a candidate in the Hong Kong Chief Executive election of 2012, and believed to be preferred by Beijing....
stroke the ceremonial gong
Gong
A gong is an East and South East Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet....
. The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
collected US$106 million in bets (highest since 2001). Children of horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
owners were admitted amid protest of local anti-gambling groups. Sunny Power, booted by Howard Cheng got the trophy
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
in the 1,200 metre dash.
Features
Originally built with capacity for 35,000 and one grandstand, it now has capacity for 85,000 and two grandstands. It also has 20 stables for a capacity of 1,260 horses.Other features include:
- Equine Hospital
- Racing Laboratory
- Equine Swimming Pool
- Riverside Gallop
Track Specifications:
- Turf
- Straight: 430 metres
- Circumference: 1899 metres
- All Weather Track
- Straight: 380 metres
- Circumference: 1560 metres