Political unrest in Hong Kong has forced officials to abandon a race meeting at Happy Valley amid concerns about public safety.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has abandoned Wednedsay night’s meeting because of “the imminent threat to the safety of racegoers, jockeys and employees, and to the welfare of racehorses”.
“In organising race meetings, the club always puts safety as a top priority,” a club spokesperson said.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that racehorses, racegoers, jockeys and employees are safe at all times.
“The club has been monitoring the situation in Hong Kong closely. It has conducted a thorough risk assessment of the race meeting tonight and concluded that it should be cancelled in order to preserve the security and safety of people and horses.
“Our concerns are tied to potential social unrest in the vicinity tonight, the very real threat of a disturbance or possible violence at Happy Valley Racecourse, and uncertainty regarding transportation in and around Happy Valley and Causeway Bay for racegoers, jockeys and employees and horses entering or leaving the racecourse throughout the evening.”
Tensions have been high in the former British colony for the past three months beginning with the Extradition Bill, since withdrawn, which would have allowed people to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial.
