Horse racing in Hong Kong is followed with much more passion than anywhere else in the world. Racetracks like Hong Kong’s Happy Valley are regularly packed to the rafters, with an electrifying atmosphere rarely reproduced on other racetracks in England, France, or the United States. Expect enthusiastic gambling, enthusiastic cheers, and plenty of beer to go along with it.
In all honesty, Hong Kong’s obsession with horses is more of an obsession with the game, however, with some of the best tracks in the world, world-class racing encounters, and a manic crowd, a visit to the track is a must. whether you want to bet or not. . Those used to the refined atmosphere at English fixtures or the understated setting on American courts will find Hong Kong’s roaring crowd and humble approach wow the system. The track is surrounded by a bench of skyscrapers that gives it a neon glow during night races and echoes noise on the track.
Happy Valley is simply one of the best sporting shows in the world.
Besides gambling and racing, Happy Valley is very much a social affair. Beer tents and makeshift hot dog stands keep 40,000 people fed and watered, and much of the racecourse becomes the largest beer garden in the city. It’s cheap too, much cheaper than the outrageous prices charged at Lan Kwai Fong for a drop of beer.
Bet on Happy Valley
Happy Valley’s owners are The Hong Kong Jockey Club. They still have a racing and gambling monopoly in the territory, a holdover from colonial times, and the HKJC is the largest contributor and charity in the territory. The privileged status of the organization is due to the average of more than six million bets placed in each meeting, which means a flutter for almost all Hong Kong residents. You can find out how to navigate the many, many bets on offer with our Hong Kong betting guide.
Hipódromos Sha Tin vs Happy Valley
Happy Valley is high above the other racecourse (Sha Tin) in Hong Kong. The runway at Happy Valley is lined by a wall of skyscrapers and with nearly every meeting scheduled for the evening, this multitude of buildings forms a dazzling neon fence for the excitement of the night. Happy Valley also offers restaurants, bars, with some of the cheapest beers in town, and a nice mix of locals, expats, and tourists. Entry to the ground is only HK $ 10.
When to go
Hong Kong’s racing season runs from September to June. Race meetings are generally Wednesday nights at Happy Valley and Saturday afternoons at Sha Tin. You will have to make your way to the stadium as the road closures mean that public transport is almost full of people. The best way to get to Happy Valley Racecourse is by Hong Kong Tram that can be taken anywhere from Sheung Wan – Central – Wan Chai.
Bet
The minimum bet on races is a bargain of $ 10, and all additional bets are in multiples of this amount. You will find bets and guide for free on the track. There are usually around fifteen minutes between races when you can place a bet. You will find English speaking staff who can help you if you need to have the rules for each individual bet explained to you.
