HIST7022 mid-term essay

Horse Racing as a sport, or a culture?

Introduction

Yesterday, I visited the Hong Kong Racing Museum in Happy Valley. Although the

museum is not large, it provided a quiet and peaceful experience, giving me time to

reflect on the deep history of horseracing in Hong Kong. The view of the racecourse

from the windows was stunning, reminding me of how important this sport still is to

the city’s identity. Inside, the exhibits told the story of the Hong Kong Jockey

Club(HKJC), showing how horseracing has grown over the years and highlighting

key moments in its history. For me, one of the most interesting displays was a horse

skeleton, I could almost imagine it running, competing in the racecourse a hundred

years ago. There were also trophies, old race tickets, and other items that reflected the

long, colorful history of the sport.

The Hong Kong Racing Museum does more than just preserve the history of

horseracing—it also shows how the sport continues to shape both the sporting world

and the culture of Hong Kong. In this essay, I will examine the historical importance

of horseracing in Hong Kong, focusing on its role as both a popular sport and an

essential part of the city’s cultural heritage.

Origins and Evolution

Shortly after the city became a British colony, horses were brought to Hong Kong.

The British had a strong interest in horses and worked to promote horseracing in all of

their colonies. Initially, horseracing in Hong Kong was a leisure activity for the

British, reflecting their cultural traditions. As historian Frank Welsh notes in A

History of Hong Kong (1997), the introduction of British customs, including

horseracing, helped the colonial elite feel more at home in an unfamiliar place. The

races allowed them to recreate aspects of their culture, strengthening social bonds

within the colonial community (Welsh, 1997).

By the early 20th century, horseracing had gained popularity among the local Chinese

population. After the betting system was introduced to the sport, everyone with

different social and ethnic backgrounds was welcomed to attend the race. As a result,

the Happy Valley racecourse soon became the hotspot of the city, offering a “shared

social experience" that brought together both the local Chinese and British

communities together. During the Japanese occupation, the horseracing industry faced

challenges, including a shortage of horses and riders. However, during the post-war

period, the sport continued to grow. With the opening of the Sha Tin Racecourse in

1978, Hong Kong has become the face of international horseracing. By this time,

horseracing had evolved from a colonial pastime into a beloved sport embraced by

both locals and foreigners living in Hong Kong.

Cultural Significance of Horseracing

Horseracing has emerged into the daily lives of many Hongkongers and has become a

shared tradition. One of the most notable cultural aspects of horseracing in Hong

Kong is its association with gambling, a practice deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

Loo suggested that gambling has long been viewed as an avenue for testing one's luck

and fate, and horseracing provides an ideal platform for such activities(Loo, 2005).

Thanks to the HKJC for regulating betting for over a century, horseracing has become

a controlled, socially and legally accepted gambling activity. Betting does not only

contribute to the city’s economy but also reflects one characteristic of Hongkongers:

they love making fast money.

With gambling, there is superstition. Many racegoers consult feng shui experts,

astrologers, and lucky numbers when placing bets, reflecting the way horseracing

merges with traditional Chinese beliefs. According to Davis (1996), in Fortune’s

Formula: The Role of Luck in Chinese Gambling Traditions, horseracing is seen by

many as a chance to align one’s actions with cosmic forces, making it not just a sport

but a spiritual and cultural experience (p. 78) This blend of horseracing with local

beliefs transforms races into more than just sporting events—they become

opportunities to engage with traditional concepts of fortune and fate.

At the same time, horseracing contributes to equalizing social discrimination in Hong

Kong. In the early days, the sport was primarily for the colonial elite, but over time, it

has become a pastime for people from all walks of life. Today, you can find everyone

from corporate executives to blue-collar workers attending races, united by their

shared interest in the sport. As described by Vamplew (2010), “Horseracing in Hong

Kong has become a microcosm of the city’s diversity, where people from different

backgrounds gather to enjoy the races, placing bets and sharing in the excitement” (p.

97). This social inclusivity has helped horseracing remain a popular and enduring part

of Hong Kong’s culture, bridging social divides and creating a sense of community.

Horseracing is not just merely a sport to Hong Kong. It reflects the city's values,

traditions, and social dynamics. It connects to gambling and superstition, which are

some qualities that’s within the deep root of Chinese tradition. Horseracing’s cultural

significance, as discussed in various scholarly works, underscores it as vital part of

Hong Kong’s identity.

Horseracing as a sport

The other significant role of horseracing is as a professional sport that can represent
the city itself. The Sha Tin Racecourse, opened in 1978, was a major milestone in the

professionalization of the sport. It signified a new era in Hong Kong horseracing, with

its state-of-the-art facilities and capacity to host international events. As described by

Southwood (2012) in Racing Cultures: Horse Racing in Global Perspective, the Sha

Tin Racecourse "transformed Hong Kong into a premier destination for international

horse racing, attracting jockeys, trainers, and owners from around the world" (p. 132).

This global prestige was further solidified in 1988 with the launch of the Hong Kong

International Races, which has since become one of the most prominent events on the

global racing calendar.

Economically, horseracing is a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s economy. Horseracing,

through the HKJC, contributes billions of dollars annually to the city’s economy,

primarily through betting, tourism, and sponsorships. In fact, the HKJC is one of the

largest taxpayers in Hong Kong, and its charitable arm donates substantial amounts to

various social causes, including education, healthcare, and community services. This

economic impact demonstrates that horseracing is basically everywhere in our society,

both as a sport and as a source of social welfare.

Conclusion

In my opinion, horseracing is indeed a major sport in Hong Kong, however, its direct

impact on everyday life is less obvious than its cultural influence. The sport’s biggest

contribution comes through the HKJC, which funds many public services and

charities. However, most citizens don’t connect these contributions to horseracing

itself. The economic benefits are important but operate largely behind the scenes.

In contrast, the cultural significance of horseracing is much more visible. Betting on

races is a common social activity, and many people engage with the sport through
traditions of gambling and superstition. As Vamplew (2010) notes, horseracing is “a

reflection of beliefs in luck and financial fortune” (p. 103). Many Hongkongers ties

betting or follow races with their cultural understanding of fate and luck, making the

sport a part of their daily lives.

To conclude, horseracing as a sport has a significant but indirect impact through the

HKJC’s contributions to society. Its cultural significance is more visible and deeply

engaged with everyday life. The sport's ability to integrate with local traditions like

gambling and superstition makes it an undividable part of Hong Kong’s social

identity, showing that its cultural impact is felt far beyond the racetrack.

Reference
Welsh, F. (1997). A history of Hong Kong. HarperCollins.

Loo, T., & Ho, W. (2005). Gambling in China: Cultural and Historical Perspectives.

Routledge,97.

Vamplew, W. (2010). Sport and Society: The Development of Modern Horseracing in

Hong Kong. Sport History Review, 78.

Davis, F. (1996). Fortune’s Formula: The Role of Luck in Chinese Gambling

Traditions. University of California Press,123.