World-class racing from Hong Kong is coming to Racing.com.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has reached a multi-year agreement with Racing.com that will see all 84 race meetings per season broadcast into Australia from Happy Valley and Sha Tin racecourses.
The live racing coverage will be highlighted by the Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin in December, one of the world’s biggest and richest race days which features the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Vase, Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Sprint, all Group 1 races run on turf.
The HKJC staged 10 of the world’s top 100 races in season 2015/16 and is home to some of the biggest names in international racing, including many famous Australians.
Star Australian jockeys Zac Purton, Brett Prebble, Chad Schofield and Nash Rawiller are all currently based in Hong Kong, while big-name riders Hugh Bowman, Tommy Berry, Craig Williams and Damien Oliver all regularly fly in to compete at feature meetings.
In a move to meet with customer needs, Racing.com will bring forward coverage from Hong Kong by commencing with the June 1 meeting from Happy Valley and continuing for the remainder of the current Hong Kong season, which concludes with the July 10 meeting from Sha Tin.
From the opening meeting of the 2016/17 Hong Kong racing season on Wednesday September 8, all 84 race meetings will be broadcast across Australia on FTA television by Racing.com.
A joint-venture partnership between Racing Victoria and Seven West Media, Racing.com is broadcast on free-to-air channels 78 (metropolitan) and 68 (regional), along with Foxtel channel 529 and on the Racing.com digital platform.
Tim Worner, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Seven West Media, believes that partnering with the Hong Kong Jockey Club is an important step for Racing.com.
“Racing.com is only nine months old and while we are quietly pleased with what has already been achieved, the future performance and the potential of this business is very, very significant,” Worner said.
“Hong Kong attracts the best jockeys, the best trainers. It is a greatly admired racing jurisdiction and it should be on the best racing channel. For the HKJC to recognise the reach that is achieved by Racing.com is a great compliment.
“Technology is now driving aggressive competition in wagering globally and here in Australia the way racing has been traditionally delivered and marketed is certainly not immune from change.
“In everything we do at Seven we have made it our business, literally, to keep pace with change.
“As a channel, Racing.com just keeps getting better. That team is driven by new ideas.
“We are looking, in this partnership with Racing Victoria, to make sure that premium racing product has a natural home on Racing.com.”
As part of the deal, Racing.com will develop programs to complement the Hong Kong coverage while also having access to English programs produced by the HKJC, including ‘Racing To Win’ and other feature programs for major meetings.
Field and form information will also be made available for the 2016/17 season, including archival digital replays and form on Racing.com.
The HKJC had a record season in 2014/15, resulting in an all-time high with wagering turnover of HK$107.9 billion (A$19.24 billion) and, as the current season draws to a close, looks set to create a new record mark.
Hong Kong racing to debut on Free to Air TV as of 1 June.
