The Conghua Training Centre began operations on Tuesday. The opening of the centre, which received a 14-strong shipment of horses from Sha Tin, marks the start of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's dual-site operations in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. All of the horses in the first shipment are retired Thoroughbreds owned by the Club's Racing Development Board (RDB) and will educate the new staff. The second shipment of horses, 21 also owned by the RDB, will take place on Thursday, June 14. Active racehorses will arrive at the CTC in July, with an official opening ceremony on Aug. 28.
“This is a historic moment for the Hong Kong Jockey Club,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer. “The commencement of the dual-site operations represents a significant achievement made possible by the establishment of the Equine Disease Free Zone. Hong Kong horses will enjoy the same health status whether they are stabled and trained in Sha Tin or at CTC. They can travel between both locations and race in Hong Kong, including against overseas horses in international races. The permanent stabling of the first batch of horses today came after the successful inspection of CTC's quarantine facilities and operations by Guangzhou Customs and the Conghua Agricultural Bureau. I would like to thank the various government departments in Hong Kong and the Mainland for their support.
He added, “The CTC is a world-class facility that will allow for the continued growth of Hong Kong racing. The centre will offer new options to our owners and trainers and will enable us to expand Hong Kong's horse population as we look to future development. The opening of the Conghua Training Centre will also make it possible for us to commence the important work of further refurbishment of the Sha Tin stabling.”
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