Source:
https://scmp.com/article/1505601/hong-kong-hailed-global-giant-opening-35th-asian-racing-conference

Hong Kong hailed as “global giant”
at opening of 35th Asian Racing Conference

HKJC Chairman T. Brian Stevenson says the Club is honoured that this is the third time Hong Kong has been chosen as the host city for the Asian Racing Conference

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Leung Chun-ying, struck a ceremonial gong to signal the start of the 35th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) during a stunning opening ceremony and gala dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.

The regional flag of the HKSAR hung proudly alongside those of the Asian Racing Federation’s member nations and regions as the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Chairman T. Brian Stevenson welcomed a record number of almost 800 delegates, as well as media and invited guests, gathered from around the globe.

Stevenson spoke of Hong Kong’s “amazing vibrancy and blend of cultures” as he addressed those present ahead of what is the world’s largest and most significant horse racing industry conference.

“Horse racing is one of Hong Kong’s world-class brands but equally importantly its method of operation and structure is by way of a unique model of social innovation which benefits the entire Hong Kong community through the Jockey Club's not-for-profit business model,” he said.

Dr Koji Sato, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), congratulated the Hong Kong Jockey Club on its 130th Anniversary during his opening remarks.

“It is very fitting that the ARC is being held here in Hong Kong,” said Dr Sato. “Hong Kong is one of the leading racing jurisdictions in the world. It is a global giant in terms of its wagering operations, it stages spectacular international racing events and it has a highly respected role as a major contributor to charity and to the community.”

The Hong Kong community was well represented during the evening as those assembled enjoyed harmonies from a local children’s community choir, an energetic, flag-waving, display of Shaolin Kung Fu and a performance by musicians from the HKJC Scholarship Scheme.

“We are honoured that this is the third time Hong Kong has been chosen as the host city for the Asian Racing Conference, the last occasion being 1991,” said Stevenson, who outlined the massive growth in Asian horse racing over the past 20 years and the rise to pre-eminence of the ARC.

“The ARC is now the largest racing conference in the world and is no longer just a regional gathering but is now one of the major forums and marketplaces for ideas for the racing industry worldwide. This year's 35th event has drawn a record attendance of racing officials, administrators, executives and leaders in various business fields from some 40 jurisdictions, all motivated to embrace a common global vision for the development of this great sport.”

“Between our 21 (ARF) members we now run over 55,000 races a year, almost 40 percent of the total worldwide,” he said. “We generated US$75 billion of turnover in 2012, nearly 60 percent of all the money wagered globally on horse racing; and we have developed substantial breeding operations, foaling some 35,000 high- quality thoroughbreds a year, again close to 40 percent of the world total. Most important of all, the ARF has become well recognised for its innovative ideas, promoting the development of the sport.”

The three-day conference will consist of 15 seminars, featuring presentations from many of racing’s most high-profile figures, business leaders and industry experts. Topics that will be addressed include the future landscape for wagering, the use of cutting-edge technology in sports broadcasting, the issue of drug control, the community impact of racecourses, and the international movement of elite horses.

In addition to the serious business of the conference, delegates will be able to enjoy an evening of exciting racing action at Hong Kong’s iconic Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday 7 May, featuring the Asian Racing Federation Trophy race.

“The ARC is a global forum for industry leaders from around the world to meet together, identify emerging issues, and to develop new strategies,” said Dr Sato, who applauded the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s role in those processes throughout the history of the ARC, of which the Club was a founding member in Tokyo back in 1960.

“The theme for the 35th ARC is ‘The 4-C’s’: CUSTOMER. CONNECT. COMPETE. and CREATE,” he remarked. “We will be exploring three facets of racing’s relationship with customers—connecting, competing and creating.

“This is an exciting time for racing. We do face some challenges, but there is also a great deal that we can be optimistic about. By working together we are making great progress. 2014 is also the Year of the Horse, and that must be a good omen for our discussions this week.”

The conference will conclude on Thursday, 8 May, at a special closing ceremony in the stunning parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse, with the ceremonial handover of the ARC flag to the as-yet-unrevealed host of the 36th Asian Racing Conference. The conference is held approximately every 18 months, the previous ARC having taken place in Istanbul in 2012. Hong Kong first hosted the ARC in 1978.

The first Asian Racing Conference was held in 1960 in Tokyo and was attended by 69 delegates drawn from Burma, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaya, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. From those early days the Asian Racing Conferences expanded rapidly, both in the number of delegates attending and in the size of the geographical area covered. At the 2nd Conference in 1961, Australia, India, New Zealand and Sarawak became official members and the Asian Racing Federation has continued to grow ever since, to the point where it now has 21 Full Members, one Associate Member and three Affiliate Members.