China ponies, but after the Boxer Rebellion the Chinese breeders obtained many Arab and European blood horses for their stud farms, from which emerged a new and bigger About 1931 type of pony which was designated "Z" class. the Stewards decided to import batches of Australian ponies and since 1940 no further China ponies have arrived here.
The club has stabling for over 400 horses and the present course and buildings compare very favourably with those of any other Race Club in the world but the sport is so popular in Hong Kong that the accommodation is taxed to the uttermost. Until 1920 the Club held only one big meeting early in the year but now there are 23 racing days annually. The percentages taken on pari-mutuel and cash sweeps provide a
a valued contribution towards the Government's revenue and the Club continues each year generously to donate large sums of money to deserving causes and charity.
Cricket
When Hong Kong was first ceded to Great Britain the sea came up to the level of Chater Road and it appears that the present ground of the Hong Kong Cricket Club was a fairly level piece of grass which was used by the Military for parades. By 1851 the civilian population had grown and in June of that year the Hong Kong Cricket Club secured the use of the ground which was also used for "quoits and other games" and at a later date for croquet. Tennis has also been played on the ground for many years and the Open Grass Court Championships are held there every year.
The first Interport cricket match was played against Shanghai in 1866 and the first match against Malaya was played in Singapore in 1890. In the following year Malaya visited Hong Kong. These fixtures have continued with fair regularity ever since.
In the early days of the Colony the Hong Kong Cricket Club ground was the only sports ground in the Colony but as the community increased other grounds and clubs were developed to cater for the varying needs of the people till at present there are many grounds on both sides of the harbour. During the more leisurely days of the last century when motor cars were not included in the Colony's imports and other amenities enjoyed to-day were still unknown, the Hong Kong Cricket ground was the Mecca of all sorts and conditions of men who came to watch cricket on a Saturday afternoon. To-day they still come, but in lesser numbers, to this and other grounds to watch or play a peaceful game amid the roar of the surrounding traffic.
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