Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu was front and centre at Victoria Park Stadium on Sunday, presenting the victorious Andrey Rublev with his Hong Kong Tennis Open trophy and hailing the return of the “world-class sports event”.

Hong Kong’s first ATP Tour event since 2002 has been widely praised, but it's the presence of Lee at the event and his comments that would have piqued the interest of Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

“The SAR Government will continue to actively promote Hong Kong as an international metropolis and event capital, demonstrate the charm of Hong Kong, attract overseas tourists to Hong Kong, and promote the development of local sports, tourism and cultural industries,” Lee said in a Facebook post.

While Lee can be forgiven for missing a couple of key racing events this season – he was unable to present the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup in the aftermath of the torrential rain that lashed the city in September, while the local elections were scheduled on the same day as the Longines Hong Kong International Races (make of that what you will) – it seems Engelbrecht-Bresges feels his marquee meeting is not receiving the credit it deserves.

“If you look at sporting events, I see a lot of times in government statements, a lot of events are mentioned – rugby sevens is fantastic, we have now the tennis which is good and we have the golf,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges following Sha Tin’s New Year’s Day meeting.

“But sometimes I hope they would realise that when you have an international meeting with 65,000 people which is broadcasted in 26 countries, it is not about wagering when you have some of the best jockeys, the best horses.

“Which other jurisdiction with 1,200 horses has three of the best 10 horses in the world? That’s not about gambling, that’s about sport.

“Hopefully, some people in the government can sometimes see this not only as an income source. But maybe we have to convince them more.

“When I read that we have all these great events but you see a meeting like international day not there, it is strange.

“Even if you look at the philanthropy conference for better cities. We have all the global philanthropy organisations in Hong Kong – 1,200 people here – but it’s nowhere mentioned.

“Sometimes I think one should make more use of what we do. It’s not a complaint, it’s something which I would encourage because we demonstrate world-class excellence.”

Hong Kong’s biggest tax payer, the HKJC injected HK$35.9 billion back into the community in the year ending June 30, 2023, including HK$28.6 billion in betting and lottery duties, profits tax and lotteries fund contributions, as well as HK$7.3 billion in approved charitable donations.

It is also in the midst of paying an added HK$12 billion in special football betting duty across five years.

But, with betting on Hong Kong races by Hongkongers on the gradual decline in recent seasons, Engelbrecht-Bresges is eager to shine a light on the sporting aspect of racing as the HKJC works to foster the next generation of fans.

There’s also the small fact that China is increasing its influence in Hong Kong – last year as many as 60 Hong Kong sporting associations were told to include “China” in their names or risk losing funding – and it comes as no surprise that Engelbrecht-Bresges is so determined to emphasise the entertainment side of racing.

“Horse racing is the core but we have the activities around it, opening with the band et cetera – it’s a holistic entertainment experience,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges, referencing the New Year’s Day performance of girl band Collar.

HKIR ‘one of the best – if not the best – days of racing’ the city has ever seen

“What I found interesting was that we are seeing a much younger crowd. If you look at the owners in the parade ring, it was very obvious that we have a younger crowd of owners and owners’ friends who come. In the end, this is what we have to overcome after Covid.

“We get extremely good feedback from people who come from mainland China, who say it is something which is unique and that it is one of the unique things you visit in Hong Kong.

“When you see what we produce in night entertainment [at Happy Valley], we are probably one of the most sustainable night entertainments.

“We have to sometimes show a little bit more what we do for Hong Kong and what we can do for Hong Kong.”