Hong Kong has a rich tradition of organized horse racing, dating back to the founding of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1884, and the sport remains wildly popular today with fans both young and old. Hong Kong's two premiere racing venues, the Happy Valley and Sha Tin racecourses, host high-stakes races from September through July, drawing fervent hordes of spectators who come to cheer on their favorite jockeys and steeds for the big win and bigger payoff. Happy Valley, situated in a residential area in the northern part of Hong Kong Island, is considered the "city track," and it hosts races on Wednesday nights with a striking backdrop of glimmering skyscrapers. Weekend races are held at the "country track" of Sha Tin, widely considered one of the world's finest racing facilities. Sha Tin hosts the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races, the world's richest day of turf racing, every December, and the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby is held every March. And if the thoroughbreds at Sha Tin aren't interesting enough for you, check out the longest TV display in the world, a high-resolution Diamond Vision screen 26 feet tall and 231 feet wide, giving everyone a great view of the action. Both Happy Valley and Sha Tin are easily accessible by taxi or public transportation from the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers and Le Méridien Cyberport. The 2007-2008 racing season is just getting started in Hong Kong, so get to the track and pick a winner.
Hong Kong Horse Racing
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