Feel the earth move beneath thundering hooves as you
cheer the finishers home in the ultimate Hong Kong night out. Races have
been held at Happy Valley – the widest stretch of flat land on Hong
Kong Island, originally a swamp – since 1846. Today the action takes
place beneath twinkling high-rises making for one of the most
atmospheric horseracing tracks in the world.
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Less than a mile (1 km) south of Causeway Bay and Wanchai on Hong Kong Island
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Regular meetings Wed, Sat & Sun
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Dial 1817 for race details
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www.hkjc.com
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Adm HK$10
Racing Museum
Come Horseracing Tour
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2723 1808
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2368 7111
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call ahead for prices
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A world record total of
US$92m was paid out at Happy Valley’s sister track at Sha Tin in 1997.
More than 350 bets of HK$1.30 each collected HK$260,000.
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A winner
Pre-race parade
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If you don’t want to
spend the whole evening at the races, arrive after the first few races
have been run, when admission is free.
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Moon Koon Restaurant 2966
7111, on the second floor of the main stand, offers good, reasonably
priced Chinese food. Advance booking is required on race nights.
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Top 10 Sights
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Wednesday Night Races
The
most exciting scheduled races are fortnightly on Wednesday evenings.
For the full atmosphere, jump on a Happy Valley-bound tram and bone up
on the form in the Wednesday Racing Post on the way. The first race is usually at 7:30pm.
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The Big Screen
The
huge screen facing the stand carries all the statistics racegoers need
from the results of the last race to odds on the upcoming one. There are
also live race pictures or replays, ensuring no one misses any of the
action.
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Racing Museum
The
small and neat museum at Happy Valley details Hong Kong’s racing
history along with a selection of Chinese art celebrating the horse.
Learn the story of the old trade in prized Mongolian and Chinese ponies.
Don’t aim to combine it with an evening at the races, however. It is
closed during meetings.
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View from Moon Koon
For a fantastic track-side view while you eat, head to the Moon Koon Restaurant. Racing and dining packages are available.
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Come Horseracing Tour
Splendid
Tours and Grey Line both run the Come Horseracing Tour during scheduled
race meetings on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tours include entry
to the Members’ Enclosure, welcome drink, buffet meal and guide
service.
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Silver Lining Skeleton
Silver
Lining, Hong Kong’s most famous horse, was the first to win more than
HK$1m. The equine skeleton takes pride of place in a glass cabinet at
the Racing Museum.
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The Crowd
Happy
Valley has a 55,000 capacity but is so popular that it sometimes sells
out before the day. The enthusiasm among the big-betting, chain-smoking
punters is infectious. Stand in the open next to the track where you’ll
get the full effect of the roar from the stands and a good view of the
finishing line.
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Types of Bet
Different
ways to bet include simply guessing the winner; a place (betting your
horse comes 1st or 2nd, or 1st, 2nd or 3rd if seven or more horses
race); a quinella (picking 1st and 2nd in any order); and a quinella
place (predicting any two of the first three horses in any order).
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Where to Bet
Bets
are placed at the counters at the back of each floor of the main stand.
Pick up the right betting slips next to the counters, fill them in and
take them to the counter with your stake money. If you win, wait for a
few minutes after the race, then go to the same counter to collect your
winnings.
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Jockey Club Booths
For
help and advice on placing bets go to the friendly, helpful Jockey Club
officials at the booths between the main entrance and the racetrack.
The Jockey Club is the only organization allowed to take bets in Hong
Kong. The tax it collects makes up a small but significant percentage of
government revenue, but is being threatened by illegal and online
betting. Jockey Club profits go to local charities.