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The Happy Valley Racecourse is one of the two
It was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the British people in Hong Kong. The area was previously swampland, but the only flat ground suitable for horse racing on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, Hong Kong Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse racing became more and more popular among the Chinese residents.
On 26 February 1918, a temporary grandstand collapsed, knocking over hot food stalls that set bamboo matting ablaze. In the fire that ensued at least 590 people died.
Over the years, facilities have been added and extended, including extensively in 1995.
"Happy Valley Recreation Ground"
''LCSD''. Retrieved 4 March 2012
/ref> It is now located on the second floor of the Happy Valley Stand of the racecourse. There are four galleries in the museum: * The Origin of Our Horses: Shows the migration route horses travelled in the early days from the northern part of China to Hong Kong. * Shaping Sha Tin: Exhibits the history of construction of
Hong Kong Jockey ClubHong Kong Racing Museum
{{Coord, 22, 16, 22, N, 114, 10, 56, E, region:HK_type:landmark, display=title Happy Valley, Hong Kong Horse racing venues in Hong Kong Landmarks in Hong Kong Tourist attractions in Hong Kong Sports venues completed in 1845 1845 establishments in Hong Kong
racecourse
A race track (racetrack, racing track or racing circuit) is a facility built for racing of vehicles, athletes, or animals (e.g. horse racing or greyhound racing). A race track also may feature grandstands or concourses. Race tracks are also use ...
s for horse racing and is a tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It is located in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by Wong Nai Chung Road
Wong Nai Chung Road ( Chinese: 黃泥涌道) is a major road in Happy Valley, Hong Kong. It is a U-shaped road that encircles the southern and eastern sides of the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Location
Wong Nai Chung Road starts northeast at the j ...
and Morrison Hill Road. The capacity of the venue is 55,000.
History
It was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the British people in Hong Kong. The area was previously swampland, but the only flat ground suitable for horse racing on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, Hong Kong Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse racing became more and more popular among the Chinese residents.
On 26 February 1918, a temporary grandstand collapsed, knocking over hot food stalls that set bamboo matting ablaze. In the fire that ensued at least 590 people died.
Over the years, facilities have been added and extended, including extensively in 1995.
Facilities
The Happy Valley Racecourse is one of two racecourses in Hong Kong used by theHong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, having been founded in 1884. In 1959, it was granted a Royal Charter and renamed The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (). The institution reverted to its original name ...
for horse racing meets, the other being the Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Penfold Park is encircled by the track, and the Hong Kong Sports I ...
. Races in Happy Valley usually take place on Wednesday nights and are open to the public as well as members of the Club. The Happy Valley Racecourse and its seven-storey stands are capable of accommodating approximately 55,000 spectators.
The inner field of the course contains sports and leisure facilities such as football, hockey
Hockey is a term used to denote a family of various types of both summer and winter team sports which originated on either an outdoor field, sheet of ice, or dry floor such as in a gymnasium. While these sports vary in specific rules, numbers o ...
and rugby fields, managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism. It provides leisure and cultura ...
.''LCSD''. Retrieved 4 March 2012
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum (or Hong Kong Racing Museum) was set up in 1995 and opened on 18 October 1996."The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum"/ref> It is now located on the second floor of the Happy Valley Stand of the racecourse. There are four galleries in the museum: * The Origin of Our Horses: Shows the migration route horses travelled in the early days from the northern part of China to Hong Kong. * Shaping Sha Tin: Exhibits the history of construction of
Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Penfold Park is encircled by the track, and the Hong Kong Sports I ...
.
* Understanding Horses: Exhibits the skeleton of the three-time Hong Kong Champion ''Silver Lining''.
* Thematic Exhibitions: The history of the Jockey Club is exhibited. Selected charitable organisations and community projects supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust are also displayed in this gallery.
There is also a cinema and a souvenir shop in the museum.
See also
*Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a Government-subvented body founded in 2001. The Board replaced the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) established in 1957. It has 15 branch offices and representative offices in 6 markets around the w ...
References
External links
Hong Kong Jockey Club
{{Coord, 22, 16, 22, N, 114, 10, 56, E, region:HK_type:landmark, display=title Happy Valley, Hong Kong Horse racing venues in Hong Kong Landmarks in Hong Kong Tourist attractions in Hong Kong Sports venues completed in 1845 1845 establishments in Hong Kong