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Hong Kong Breeders Club Inaugurates Breeder Of The Year Award
01/11/05

The Hong Kong Breeders Club has announced the inauguration of the Hong Kong Breeder of the Year Award.

The Award will recognize excellence and accomplishment by a thoroughbred breeder based in either Hong Kong or China and celebrate international successes of Hong Kong racehorses and racehorse owners.

The first winner of the Award will be announced in Hong Kong on Monday 12th December, the day after the Hong Kong Jockey Club's "world turf championship" day at Sha Tin.

Major-General Guy Watkins, chairman of the Hong Kong Breeders Club International Advisory Board, said today: "I warmly welcome this new initiative. The Award will recognize past excellence and will also encourage a future interest in thoroughbred breeding from within Hong Kong and China".

When deciding on the Award criteria, HKBC confirmed that the racecourse test would always be the ultimate arbiter of thoroughbred excellence. Performances on the track will be the most important assessment factor, with particular weight being given to results in Graded, Group and Listed events.

The Award will be based principally on race performances during the past calendar year, but the selection committee may also consider other factors such as: length of time of a candidate's involvement in the breeding industry; the extent and value of a candidate's investment in breeding, bloodstock and/or in real estate, sales results and past record of successes as a breeder; administrative contributions to the racing/breeding industry such as Breeders' Associations, Race Club Boards or racing related charities or in training of young people in the racing/breeding industry.

Although the Selection Committee may consider other factors the emphasis would always be on quality rather than quantity. The Committee will take due note of any fresh breeding industry initiative that has taken place during the past year; such as the acquisition of active racing stock destined for stud after retirement. They will also be looking for professional awareness and expertise in the Award winner, such as the ability to anticipate or initiate successful new trends.

"Members of the Hong Kong Breeders Club will make nominations that will then go to an independent Selection Committee. They will choose the inaugural HKBC Breeder of the Year", said Mr. Anderson Chan, CEO of the HKBC.

The independent Selection Committee will be chaired by Major-General Watkins who will be joined by three distinguished members; Mr. Murray Bell, Racing Editor of Hong Kong's leading English language daily, The South China Morning Post, Mr. Paul Cheng, racehorse owner and current Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward; and Mr. Ronald Napier, former Chairman of the Jockey Club of South Africa and a successful breeder.

Madeleine Sundgren, the Awards Event Manager, added, "The presentation of this award will provide a very exciting moment in the history of Hong Kong thoroughbred breeding, and will also help local Hong Kong breeders to gain recognition within the industry. I look forward to seeing the stock from these breeders on racetracks across the globe".

The Hong Kong Breeders Club was founded by Mr. Richard Hui, Mr. Paul Kan, Mr. Peter Yip and friends. Their aim is to promote thoroughbred breeding among racing enthusiasts in Hong Kong and China; both as an interesting and enjoyable hobby, and as a hobby with possible investment potential. The founders also hope to help Club members integrate their thoroughbred breeding interests into a family lifestyle. This would be through shared access to vacation farmhouses, golf courses, fishing trips and other leisure facilities in exclusive and sought after locations that are close to stud farms.

In addition to thoroughbred breeding the Club is also devoted to helping improve the standard of equestrian sport in Hong Kong and China, as well as supporting approved charity and/or research projects through the HKBC Charity Foundation.