The Hong Kong Jockey Club unveiled the latest phase of its HK$14 billion racecourse master plan on Tuesday, with two new facilities at Sha Tin designed to elevate racing as one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions.
Hailed as a “game-changing racecourse arrival and customer experience at grandstand 2”, the new Champions Connection and Genso Eki facilities feature digital entertainment aimed at attracting the younger generation to the races and promoting Sha Tin as a “platinum race-going experience” for locals and tourists.
Racing fans will get their first look at the new facilities when the 2025-26 racing season launches at Sha Tin on Sunday.
“The club has invested more than HK$10 billion into a multi-year racecourse master plan to systematically revitalise Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses,” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the club’s CEO, said.
“It is our plan to invest another HK$4 billion in the next phase to transform our racecourses. This is a key enabler of the club’s vision to develop our racecourses into world-class sport and entertainment venues.
“Champions Connection and Genso Eki, with their cutting-edge digital technology and vibrant, modern settings, will redefine the arrival and racecourse experience for racegoers, particularly the younger generation, cultivating a greater interest in the sport of horse racing.
“We look forward to seeing these new attractions make a big contribution to racing tourism, an important pillar of Hong Kong’s tourism development with significant economic and social value.”
Champions Connection, labelled the “gateway between the MTR’s Racecourse Station and grandstand 2”, features three-dimensional digital displays of champion Hong Kong gallopers Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Beauty Generation, Silent Witness, Sacred Kingdom and Able Friend in virtual stables.
It also includes a mechanical galloping horse sculpture, a full-sized lifelike robotic horse, digitally rendered thoroughbred horses on columns along the second and third floors, showcases of jockeys’ real-life lockers with personalised racing gear and pop-up kiosks offering popular local brands of food and beverages, gifts and souvenirs.
Genso Eki, one of several venues to which Champions Connection links visitors, is a four-storey destination with immersive digital racing experiences and dining options.
It includes “Maze Race”, where customers can learn about the history of racing by solving racing-related puzzles; “Gensoverse”, where visitors take a virtual ride on one of Hong Kong’s legendary horses through extended reality (XR) technology; and “Gensosnap”, an AI photo booth that allows racegoers to take racing-themed selfies to share on social media.
There is also a digital parade ring and interactive AI horse selection stations, much like what was introduced last season at Happy Valley racecourse, and two dining options – the Fudo Town food hall and Izakaya restaurant.
Engelbrecht-Bresges also revealed new plans for Penfold Park, which is located in the infield of Sha Tin Racecourse.
“In January 2026, the park will have all enhancement works completed and fully reopen, followed by the addition of a new attraction, Pony World, in April,” he said.
“Designed to strengthen Penfold Park’s appeal as a family-friendly destination for both Hongkongers and tourists, Pony World will offer educational activities and foster a culture of horse appreciation.
“Access to Penfold Park will initially be limited to non-race days, while the club is formulating appropriate safeguards that would allow entry on race days while maintaining a strict separation from any wagering activities.”
