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 Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley 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.

Developing financial literacy at an early age can help future generations navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. To provide financial education for primary school students, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust has created and funded The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme with an approved donation of over HK$119 million.

Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The programme was officially launched today (20 November). Officiating at the launch ceremony were HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education Jeff Sze; the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung; President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong, Professor John Lee; Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago, Professor Lee Ka-yee; Solomon Learning Group Chairman and Co-founder Antony Leung; CoCoon Foundation Co-Founder Theodore Ma, and Hong Kong Family Welfare Society Chief Executive Kitty Chau. Over 110 guests, including representatives from the programme’s partners, school principals and teachers, attended the event.

Jeff Sze, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Education (centre); Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community (3rd left), Professor John Lee, President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (3rd right); Professor Lee Ka-yee, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at The University of Chicago (2nd left); Antony Leung, Chairman and Co-founder of Solomon Learning Group (2nd right); Theodore Ma, Co-Founder of the CoCoon Foundation (1st left) and Kitty Chau, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (1st right) officiate at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

At the ceremony, Dr Leung welcomed guests to witness the start and the seed of what will become, in time, part of the routine curriculum in Hong Kong. He expressed his gratitude to all partners for beginning this journey with the Club and highlighted that financial education is essential for everyone, particularly for those with limited resources.

Dr Gabriel Leung, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community, delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

Targeting upper primary pupils, this pioneering programme is built around three key elements designed to create a lasting impact on students, teachers and parents:

1. Empowerment through financial education: An age-appropriate and culturally relevant curriculum for upper primary students, developed with reference to research findings from the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and the Hong Kong Financial Competency Framework, which was developed by the Investor and Financial Education Council. This curriculum is designed to equip students with core financial capabilities and encourage financially responsible behaviour.

2. Collaborative and holistic approach: In alliance with the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative and local partners, the programme adopts a holistic approach to engage students, teachers and parents. It aims to enhance teachers’ skills and empower them to design impactful financial education lessons. Parents will also receive expert advice and practical strategies to model sound financial habits for their children.

3. A unique response to educational needs: The programme is designed to be integrated into the regular school day. It enhances existing financial education by providing young students with practical financial knowledge, skills and understanding. Unique features include inter-and intra-school competitions, parent workshops and public talks.

Co-created by The Education University of Hong Kong, The University of Chicago, the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, CoCoon Foundation and Solomon Learning Group, the programme is expected to benefit some 17,800 students and train 240 teachers from 70 primary schools. In addition, it aims to engage 1,500 parents through parent-child workshops and talks. For more information on The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, please visit www.hkjcfep.com.

The officiating guests and representatives from the programme’s partners attended The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme launch ceremony.

The Club’s support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club Financial Education Programme, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.