The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the city of Deauville, France today (13 May) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in the fields of equine sports development including horse riding, horse supply, and equine health and welfare.

The MOU was signed at the Residence of France in Hong Kong by Andrew Harding, HKJC Executive Director, Racing, and Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville. The signing was witnessed by Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, HKJC Chief Executive Officer; Franck Lemestre, Director of the Deauville International Equestrian Centre; Thierry Bottard, Director General of InDeauville; Terecina Kwong, HKJC Executive Director, Membership and Customer Excellence; and Casper Stylsvig, HKJC Executive Director, Sports Business.

Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau said, “this agreement gives a new momentum to a relationship founded on trust, shared values, and a common identity related to equestrian excellence. It was made possible by the long-standing exchanges between France and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, notably the yearly France Galop Cup as well as the yearly HKJC trophy races in Deauville in August. I am delighted to see the partnership between France and Hong Kong around the horse brought to a new level, which reflects France and Hong Kong’s joint desire to deepen their exchanges in sports and tourism.”

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said Hong Kong and France share a deep passion for the horse. Racing is also deep-rooted in their communities, bringing people together in their love of sport. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges added that French May this month will see Hong Kong celebrating the very best of France. The MOU with Deauville strengthens HKJC’s relationship with French horse sports still further. This year, being the Year of the Horse in the Chinese calendar, is even more meaningful, with special events organised in Hong Kong to share the love of the horse.

Philippe Béhuet, Deputy Mayor of Deauville and Special Representative of the Mayor of Deauville said, “Deauville and Hong Kong may be oceans apart, but we are joined by the same spirit — a love for horses, sport, elegance, and tradition, as well as a constant drive for innovation and excellence. The values upheld by The Hong Kong Jockey Club deeply resonate with those of our town, which has long been in both places the home to world-class horse events. Together, we can foster new opportunities, inspire young talent, and strengthen the enduring bond between our communities.”

The three-year extendable partnership covers a range of initiatives and includes collaboration across four areas:

1. Exchange on horse health and welfare

· Research collaboration in equine medicine, welfare practices and veterinary science to advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of equine diseases.

· Support for the re-training and re-homing of former Hong Kong racehorses in France with the support of Champs Legacy, an official partner of the HKJC’s RESTART Racehorse Aftercare Programme

2. Supply of racehorses: Both sides will encourage collaboration and promote opportunities with Deauville’s horse auction house “ARQANA”. Deauville will facilitate exchanges and visits between Deauville-based agents and breeders and HKJC connections who are interested in purchasing racehorses.

3. Horse riding programmes: Deauville will facilitate the organisation of tourism packages, including tailor-made and summer riding programmes, for HKJC Members.

4. Polo programmes: Deauville will facilitate the organisation of polo training sessions in the city. It will also support HKJC Members’ participation in the Asia Polo Cup in Deauville, to be held annually in August, with the first edition this year.

The HKJC has a long-standing relationship with the French equine industry, notably the yearly HKJC trophy races in Deauville in August, and the two races run each May at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Racecourse under the banners of French May and France Galop. French-themed Happy Wednesdays will be held throughout May, including the French May Trophy and the France Galop Cup today (13 May) – the same day as the signing of the MOU.

Located in the Normandy region of northwestern France, Deauville is renowned for its elegant architecture, prestigious horse-racing events and golf courses, local gastronomy, shopping opportunities and vibrant cultural scene. It is also widely recognised as a hub for equestrian excellence in Europe, with two racecourses, major polo events, a world-class training centre offering riding certifications (Pôle International du Cheval), a campus dedicated to education, research and innovation in equine health, and leading horse auction house “ARQANA”.

Photo: HKJC