7
RACES
843
1
With the approach of the second half of this year's racing season, and thoughts already turning to the next Annual Meeting, a reference to local turf history is appropriate. We have already noted (see 31-7-33) that racing commenced in Happy Valley, on the newly-constructed race course, as far back as 1846. Some idea of the big social event which a turf meeting meant for early Hongkong may be had in contemplating those days of a small foreign community with meetings few and far between. It is not intended, for the present, to give the actual history of racing in the Colony, but I have pleasure in publishing a contribution from a reader, who adopts the nom-de-plume "Harvester", who urges that the H.K. Jockey Club should consider honouring distinguished past members by naming specific annual races after them. My contributor writes:
"It would indeed be interesting to know whether the name of the individual who coined the phrase "The Sport of Kings" is on record? He should go down to posterity in the same way, as the name "Admiral Rous" has been kept alive in every part of the globe - wherever there is a Racing Club. The late Admiral was passionately devoted to the thoroughbred, and he alone was responsible for introducing more than half of the Newmarket Bye-Laws and Rules governing racing, which are in force to-day the world over. At Newmarket, the Headquarters of the turf and the home of the thoroughbred, his name has been perpetuated in the important race called "Rous Memorial Stakes" confined to two years olds. Another great ornament of the turf was the late Lord George Bentinck and naturally his name lives in turf history, and the Jockey Club one of the most exclusive Clubs in the world has a race at Newmarket named after him. The Derby - the most famous and principal race in the four corners of the earth was named after the 12th Earl of Derby - a notable sportsman of his day.
"We could mention numerous races named after gentlemen who have made racing what it is, and it is, therefore, only fitting and proper that their names should be commemorated in the way that they have been.
"It is freely admitted that, wherever Britons congregate, you will invariably find a Race Course, and it is, therefore, not surprising that a course here was made soon after Hongkong became a British possession. Our racing plays a part in the life of the Colony, but up to a recent date we had only one Race Meeting a year, followed by 4 to 6 Gymkhanas for the rest of the Season.
"The Race Meetings then were more of an important social event, when lavish hospitality was dispensed to friends, both local and from outports, as far North as Peking. Those indeed were happy days, where conviviality and the jocular spirit reigned supreme. Every race was keenly contested and the winners were enthusiastically cheered. Ponies left the mounting enclosure with rosettes, and friends of owners sported their colours with the same adornment, a fashion now almost extinct.
"We fear we have digressed, but to resume; it was not until 1927 that the Extra Meetings were started and the invaluable yearly racing Records introduced. Racing has become a most popular pastime with the masses and gives enjoyment to countless thousands. Enthusiasts of the past cannot conceive the enormous stride Hongkong racing has made in recent years. That its popularity is on the increase, no-one will dispute. We have something like 400 ponies in training, and the Race Course is, we fear, becoming too small to cope with the large fields.
7
RACES
843
1
With the approach of the second half of this year's racing season, and thoughts already turning to the next Annual Meeting, a reference to local turf history is appropriate. We have already noted (see 31-7-33) that racing commenced in Happy Valley, on the newly-constructed race course, as far back as 1846. Some idea of the big social event which a turf meeting meant for early Hongkong may be had in contemplating those days of a small foreign community with meetings few and far between. It is not intended, for the present, to give the actual history of racing in the Colony, but I have pleasure in publishing a contribution from a reader, who adopts the nom-de-plume.cf "Harvester", who urges that the H.K. Jockey Club should consider honouring distinguished past members by naming specific annual races after them. My contributor writes:.
#
"It would indeed be interesting to know whether the name of the individual who coined the phrase "The Sport of Kings, is on record? He should go down to posterity in the same way, as the name "Admiral Rous" has been kept alive in every part of the globe - wherever there is a Racing Club. The late Admiral was passionately devoted to the thoroughbred, and he alone was responsible for introducing more than half of the Newmarket Bye- Laws and Rules governing racing, which are in force to-day the world over. At Newmarket, the Headquarters of the turf and the home of the thoroughbred, his name has been perpetuated in the important race called "Rous Memorial Stakes" confined to two years olds. Another great ornament of the turf was the late Lord George Bentinck and naturally his name lives in turf history, and the Jockey Club one of the most exclusive Clubs in the world 19s a race at Newmarket named after him. The Derby - che most famous and principal race in the four com ers of the earth was named after the 12th Earl of Derby - a notable sportsman of his.
Qay. We could mention numerous reces named after gentlemen who have made racing what it is, and it is, therefore, only fitting and proper that their names should be ammemorated in the way that they have been.
:
"It is freely admitted that, wherever Britons congregate, you will invariably find a Race Course, and it is, therefore, not surprising that a course here was made soon after Hongkong became a British possession. Our racing plays a part in the life of the Colony, but up to a recent date we had only one Race Meeting a year, followed by 4 to 6 Gymkhanas for the rest of the Season.
The lace Meetings then were more of an important social event, when lavish hospitality was dispensed to friends, both local and from outports, as far North as Peking. Those indeed were happy days, where conviviality and the jocular spirit reigned supreme. Every race was keenly contested and the winners were enthusiastically cheered. Ponies left the mounting enclosure with rosettes, and friends of owners sported their colours with the same adornment, a fashion now almost extinct.
"We fear we have digressed, but to resume; it was not until 1927 that the Extra Meetings were started and the invaluable yearly nacing Records introduced. Racing has become a most popular pastime with the masses and gives enjoyment to countless thousands. Enthusiasts of the past cannot conceive the enormous stride Hongkong racing has made in recent years. That its popularity is on the increase, no-one will dispute. We have some- thing like 400 ponies in training, and the Race Cour se is, we fear, becoming too small to cope with the large fields.
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