The Sad But Inevitable End Of Horse Racing In Macau

Posted: April 3, 2024

Updated: April 3, 2024

Though horse racing has a long history on the former Portuguese colony of Macau, recently it's faced an uphill struggle paying it's considerable debts. Many members of the prestigious Macau Jockey Club blame poor management for its demise. However, the current political views coming from China sealed the fate of the race track.

Racing in Macau, which is considered the birthplace of the sport in Asia, enjoyed its last race on April 1st, 2024. The government decided to take away the license from the financially troubled Jockey Club, which has been managing the racing events. Many expected the end of horse racing in Macau, but the timing of the decision was surprising. People are now wondering if the racing industry can ever make a comeback. Although no one's saying it out loud, the government shut down horse racing activities and the end of horse racing in Macau because they were deemed inconsistent with the societal development goals and also clashed with Xi Jinping's new emphasis on moral values aligned with Communist Party principles.

Singapore Also Says Goodbye To Horse Racing

In Singapore, another once-thriving location for racing, the government decided to close down the Kranji racecourse, ending 180 years of racing, with the last race scheduled for October 5 this year. Gary Moore, a trainer who recently returned, declined to comment after learning that his time at the Jockey Club is over with the end of horse racing in Macau. The cancellation of horse imports to Macau last year led to smaller racing events and raised concerns about the future of the sport. This marks the end of horse race betting on the island. Before you could head over to one of the best online sportsbooks in the UK, Bet365 Sportsbook, to place your wagers. Those days are now sadly over.

End Of Horse Racing In Macau - A Badly Run Club

A former employee of the Macau Jockey Club, who preferred to remain anonymous, blamed the club's mismanagement over the years for the end of horse racing in Macau. They mentioned that despite the potential for racing to be a major tourist attraction, poor promotion meant many visitors didn't even know it was happening. The source expressed sorrow over losing racing in Singapore and now in Macau, citing a long history of racing in Macau dating back centuries. They criticized the management of the club over the last decade, considering it to be poor, with a typical focus on short-term gain rather than building a strong foundation.

André Cheong Weng Chon, a government official, mentioned that the Macau Jockey Club had approached the government last year to give up its contract for operating horse racing at Taipa. Now, all attention is focused on the MJC's 269 horses, which must be relocated either to mainland China or other countries by March 31, 2025. Ben-To, the Chief Operating Officer of the MJC, mentioned in an interview with TDM that they have received applications from horse owners regarding the transfer of their horses to the MJC at the end of horse racing in Macau. It stated, "We hope that horse owners will inform the MJC of the destination of their horses before the end of May so that the Club can arrange the necessary procedures for the delivery of the horses." Horse owners have described giving up ownership of their horses as a desperate measure and the "easiest solution."

What Will Happen To The Horses?

The MJC has provided two options for horse owners to address the issue of whether to keep their horses or not. Owners can either transport their horses overseas or to the mainland, with the MJC offering them a reimbursement subsidy for the transfer. In this case, owners will still be responsible for paying a monthly maintenance fee for the horse during the transfer period. Alternatively, owners can retire their horses and transfer ownership to the MJC. According to online gambling news in the UK, the end of horse racing in Macau will also affect the 570 employees of the MJC. As previously mentioned, the government plans to move the 290 horses at the club to mainland China or other countries like Australia and New Zealand by March 31, 2025. Cheong stated that horseracing is declining in Macau and neighboring regions and that it hasn't brought the expected socio-economic benefits. He mentioned that after the contract expires, there won't be any further opportunities for operations through public tendering. The racecourse site and club facilities will be returned to the government.

End Of Horse Racing In Macau - A Long Expected Decision

The director of racing at MJC, Damian Yap, acknowledged that the decision was expected but expressed his commitment to ensuring the well-being of the horses for at least six months after the club's closure. He expressed sadness over the decision, stating that it was a sad day for racing in general. Yap mentioned that recent actions, like the halt in horse imports to Macau, had indicated that this outcome was likely. He noted that while the closure date of April 1 came as a bit of a surprise, they would focus on caring for the remaining horses.

The History Of Horse Racing In Macau

Horse racing has a long and respected history in Macau, dating back to the early 18th century when the Portuguese established a trading colony there. The sport became popular among the Portuguese elite, who organized the first documented races around the mid-19th century. Initially, these races took place on an improvised track near the Inner Harbour and drew spectators from both European and local communities. In 1912, a significant milestone occurred with the founding of the Macau Jockey Club, marking the formalization and regulation of horse racing in the region.

The club began hosting regular race meets and introduced off-track betting, contributing to the sport's expansion. The 1930s and 1940s were considered the heyday of horse racing in Macau. During this time, the industry flourished, attracting top jockeys, trainers, and horses from across the globe. The Macau Jockey Club Racecourse on Taipa Island emerged as a prominent venue for horse racing events and social gatherings.

The End Of Horse Racing In Macau With Mounting Debts

According to online gambling news, Macau held its first thoroughbred races in 1989 during Portuguese rule and saw success after Stanley Ho, the late casino tycoon known as the "King of Gambling," took over in 1991. However, in recent years, attendance at the Macau Jockey Club has declined. The club's betting concession contract, initially granted in 1978 and extended until August 31, 2042, was rescinded by the Macau SAR government due to the club's increasing financial losses. This marked the beginning of the end of horse racing in Macau. In 2018, the club faced the threat of contract termination if it didn't repay its debt of MOP153 million (£14.9m) to the government. Though horse racing in the former Portuguese colony is now over, there’s still plenty of action in Hong Kong and further afield. Thanks to internet betting, all horse races, the world over are now accessible with sportsbook websites like Bet365 Sportsbook providing live racing coverage.