Hong Kong and Guangzhou are set to deepen their horse racing collaboration with the launch of regular race meetings at the Conghua racecourse starting October 31, marking a key phase in China’s National Equine Industry Development Plan. Conghua, located 150km north of the Hong Kong-China border, will host four race meetings in the 2026-27 season and also plans to hold equestrian events, aiming to establish a strong connection between Hong Kong and the mainland through world-class racing and entertainment. The Jockey Club, which designed the racecourse with Chinese cultural elements, views this as a strategic step to contribute to the national equine industry, despite challenges such as the absence of betting on the mainland.
Since its opening in 2018, Conghua has become an important training venue for Hong Kong horses, with a significant portion of runners at Sha Tin and Happy Valley having trained there. Champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising’s trainer praises the facility’s quality, highlighting its world-class standards. The Jockey Club has also trained over 800 staff for Conghua and is developing an equine transfer center to facilitate horse imports and potentially support a future breeding industry in mainland China. Prize money and operational costs are expected to be supported by sponsorships, compensating for the lack of betting revenue.
