The Beat and Vantage pilot new Gen-AI digital racing experience at Happy Valley Racecourse

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“Club”) is pleased to announce the official opening of The Beat and Vantage tonight at Happy Valley Racecourse - twin venues offering a brand-new digital horse racing experience for the younger generation of fans.

Located on the 2/F and 3/F of the Pavilion Stand, The Beat and Vantage combine innovation with entertainment to offer customers with “one-stop” digital racing and racecourse experience.

Located on the 2/F and 3/F of the Pavilion Stand, The Beat and Vantage combine innovation with entertainment. Their “one-stop” racing and racecourse experience supported by AI animation is tailor-made for customers familiar with using big data for race research and analysis. They are also ideal for those looking for a more relaxed dining environment and vibrant entertainment.

Located on the 2/F and 3/F of the Pavilion Stand, The Beat and Vantage combine innovation with entertainment to offer customers with “one-stop” digital racing and racecourse experience.

Stepping into The Beat on the 2/F, guests will immediately be presented with an LED wall showcasing digital Parade Ring with simple and gamified information. After picking their favourites, guests can head to the Interactive AI Horse Selection Stations, where, with the assistance of AI technology they can input parameters such as Fitness, Draw, Jockey, Trainer, and Track & Distance to identify two frontrunners for comparison. From here it is just a question of making their selections, perhaps via the Club’s mobile app, which is handily available.

The Beat on the 2/F features an iconic LED wall showcasing digital Parade Ring with simple and gamified information.

Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “To sustain our world-class racing as an international brand for Hong Kong, we must stay close to the fast-changing aspirations of our customers in the digital age. The Beat and Vantage are the Club’s response, pioneering a new digital racecourse concept that in the coming years will meet the needs of younger generation fans, both local and from overseas. They will also further strengthen our Happy Wednesday brand, whose vibrant mix of sporting and social entertainment is well-received by local fans and tourists.”

Both The Beat and Vantage feature Interactive AI Horse Selection Station, where with the assistance of AI technology they can input parameters such as Fitness, Draw, Jockey, Trainer, and Track & Distance to identify two frontrunners for comparison.

Club Executive Director, Customer Strategy, Insights and Innovation Dennis Hau said: “We’re excited to launch the first immersive digital horse racing experience at The Beat and Vantage. Looking forward, we will implement a holistic digital transformation of the entire customer journey for racegoers, from pre-race preparation, raceday experiences, all the way to post-race engagement. The digital racecourse experience will gradually be extended to other racecourse venues to transform the racegoing experience for all.”

Both The Beat and Vantage feature Interactive AI Horse Selection Station, where with the assistance of AI technology they can input parameters such as Fitness, Draw, Jockey, Trainer, and Track & Distance to identify two frontrunners for comparison.

The Beat and Vantage offer sweeping views of the racing action, with music from a live band in The Beat and a rotating selection of top DJs in Vantage. An array of gourmet bar bites are available in The Beat, while those seeking out an à la carte dining experience should head for Vantage. Both offer a wide selection of signature cocktails and craft beers, with Vantage also home to its own curated wine list. Both are guaranteed to offer a fun, social and immersive night at the races.

iPads are available for complimentary use in both The Beat and Vantage, enabling guests to access the Interactive AI Horse Selection Station at finger tips anywhere in the venue.

“Exceptional horse racing entertainment is always the key take-away for our racecourse customers. The Beat offers a relaxed yet stylish way to engage with the racing action, while Vantage brings luxury, cool chic and superior dining. Our goal is to make Vantage a favourite spot for the city’s most influential figures and visiting VIPs, where they can have an unforgettable experience of Hong Kong’s world class racing,” said Club Executive Director, Membership, Brand, Marketing and Experience Anthony Ingham.

The Beat has a cyber-chic atmosphere. Guests can take an elevated view of the races in Happy Valley Racecourse.

The Beat and Vantage are open during all night and day race meetings at Happy Valley Racecourse. Customers can make reservations online at https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/?venueId=940   for The Beat, https://www.bookingrc.hkjc.com/onlinebooking/?venueId=941  for Vantage. They can also call the Club’s Hotline at 1880 (Priority Customers) or 1817 (Public Customers) for booking or enquiries. All racegoers must be aged 18 or above.

At Vantage, guests can savor a selection of fine food and drinks while enjoying a panoramic view of the horses competing against the stunning backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline.

At Vantage, guests can savor a selection of fine food and drinks while enjoying a panoramic view of the horses competing against the stunning backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline.

To encourage everyone to lend a helping hand, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust initiated and funded the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER starting from 2022. This includes support for the Hong Kong Volunteer Award, which recognises the many eople who have contributed to the betterment of our society.

Today (10 December) saw the presentation of this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service. Officiating guests included Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of Agency for Volunteer Services.

Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (centre); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd left); Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (1st right); Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Services (1st left) officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Club Steward Lester Huang said the Club has been closely collaborating with the Agency for Volunteer Service since the 1970s to promote volunteering. Last year, through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, the Club supported new awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme to recognise volunteers from different sectors and backgrounds. Moving forward, the Club will continue to launch volunteer projects designed to encourage more people to volunteer and to help people in need.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the HongKong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Since last year, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative. The awards include theJC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Top 10 Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club is also supporting the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which recognises people who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteering for their achievement and contribution.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (7th right), with members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The Club has always been a strong supporter of volunteering. In addition to the volunteer awards supported by its Charities Trust, the Club has its own CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, comprising employees who actively help out in the community. In 2023, the Club’s volunteer team contributed over 23,000 volunteering hours, positively impacting more than 670,000 people. At this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, The Hong Kong Jockey Club was awarded an Outstanding Corporate Award, Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Gold Award in recognition of the achievements of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (1st left), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://www.hkv-award.hk/

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for the community. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM to help people identify volunteering opportunities, and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left), and JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Awardee Kitty Siu.

The Club’s support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, like all its charity donations,is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing andwagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities forthe community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award,Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest olunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours)Gold Award.

The Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises employees who actively help out in the community.