The Hong Kong Jockey Club today announced major organisational changes and new leadership appointments in its Racing Division to support the future growth plans of the Club.

With effect from 1 August 2015, the current Racing Division will be divided into the Racing Business and Operations Division and the Racing Authority Division.  As part of the organisational changes and to strengthen its senior leadership team, the Club today announced the appointment of Mr Anthony B. Kelly to the position of Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations, and Mr Andrew Harding to the position of Director, Racing Authority. As members of the Club’s Board of Management, both positions will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.  At the same time, the Club regrets to announce that Executive Director, Racing Mr William A. Nader has decided to return to the US upon completion of his current contract this season. At the Club’s request Bill will stay until January 2016 to help ensure a smooth transition.

Hong Kong racing is recognised internationally as a world class racing brand through its world-class racing product, excellent racing operation and world class racing facilities and personnel. Internationally, the Club has been expanding its responsibilities in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) with the latter’s secretariat now based in Hong Kong. The Club’s senior racing management have also taken leadership roles in international policies and protocols governing horse movement, medication and pattern races.

To ensure the future growth of racing, the Club has committed to a 10-year Racecourse Master Plan since 2009 with a significant investment of HK$6.4 billion. Furthermore, the Club is investing HK$3 billion to build a dedicated world class Racehorse Training Centre in Conghua, Mainland China by 2018 which will cater for future business growth as well as provide the Club with a state-of-the-art horse training facility.

All of this means that the Club’s racing operations will grow significantly in size and complexity over the coming years. And it is to ensure the successful launch of the major projects currently underway, and to unlock the potential for further development of the Club’s world-class racing brand, that the Club is making these organisational changes and leadership appointments. 

Mr Anthony B. Kelly has been the Managing Director of Arena Racing Company (ARC) since its formation in 2012.  Arena Racing Company is the largest racecourse operation in the UK, operating approximately 38% of the UK fixture list.  Mr Kelly is a Chartered Management Accountant. He joined Northern Racing in 2004, and having overseen its sale to the Reuben Brothers in 2007, became Managing Director of Arena Racing Company. 

Mr Kelly will take up his appointment as Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations early in the 2015/16 season once transitional arrangements at ARC have been finalised. 

As Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations, Mr Kelly will oversee the strategic investment into the new Conghua Training Centre, as well as Racing Operations in Hong Kong and Conghua, Handicapping and Race Planning, Veterinary Clinical Services, International Races Office, and Equestrian Affairs. He will also take the lead role in overseeing the strategic Racecourse Master Plan investment to meet the changing needs of our customers.

“With his extensive business and racing experience, Mr Anthony Kelly fits perfectly with the Club’s strategies of further developing its world class racing and ensuring its sustainable business development. The Conghua training Centre is of strategic importance to the Club’s future development.   Mr Kelly will provide the dedicated management oversight in building this state-of-the-art training centre, as well as developing a major operational unit in Conghua from scratch and integrating it with the Hong Kong operation seamlessly.  I look forward to working closely with Mr Kelly in this most significant challenge,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said. 

Tony Kelly commented, "I am incredibly excited and privileged to be offered this chance to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I would like to express my thanks to the Stewards and the CEO of the Club for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to joining the Club later this year and working with the Board of Management to continue to develop the Hong Kong Jockey Club's world class racing brand.”

Mr Andrew Harding is an Australian qualified lawyer and has been the HKJC Director of Racing Development since 2012.  He was previously Chief Executive of the Australian Racing Board and is also Secretary General of the ARF, Special Counsellor to the Chairman of the IFHA, Chairman of the IFHA Technical Advisory Committee, and Co-Secretary General of the International Horse Sports Confederation. 

As Director, Racing Authority, Andrew’s operational responsibilities will be to oversee areas relating to racing secretariat, racing registry, racing control, racing laboratory, and veterinary regulation, as well as quarantine policies and protocol, licensing, and the Racing Development Board. Andrew will continue with his current international responsibilities at the ARF and IFHA.  He will also work with the CEO to drive the improvement in standards for intellectual property rights protection, drug control, movement of horses, black type races, quality control, harmonized rules of racing, and other matters which impact on the Club’s growth opportunities. 

“The appointment of Mr Andrew Harding to the expanded role as Director of Racing Authority will position the Club well to further enhance its reputation as a world class racing authority. The Club operates in a fast-changing and complex environment, Mr Harding’s organisational leadership, experience and strategic capabilities will be a considerable asset as the Club strengthens its global presence,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Andrew Harding said, “I am absolutely delighted to take on this important role. The Club is already one of the most admired racing organisations around the world, and as we strengthen the Club’s reputation I also look forward to us contributing to the overall good of the sport world-wide.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, acknowledged the enormous contribution made by Mr Nader since his appointment in 2007.  “Bill has been a key member of the Board of Management, responsible for implementing the overall racing strategy and developing a world class and commercially attractive racing product. Through the quality horse imports he has secured, he has enabled the Club to expand the depth and breadth of Hong Kong’s world class racing. He has served as Chairman of the Asian Pattern Committee for the past eight years, overseeing great progress at both the regional and international level. On his watch, Hong Kong’s horses and races have reached new and unprecedented heights in the world rankings. Furthermore, he has been fundamental to establishing the Club’s portfolio of commingling partnerships. All of this is a testament to the strength of his contribution to the Club and to Hong Kong racing.”

“On behalf of the Club, I would like to express my deep appreciation for Bill’s excellent contribution.  As a fellow member of the Board of Management, I wish to thank him for being a wonderful team player and for his dedication and passion for Hong Kong racing and the Club’s contribution to the community. We shall miss him and wish him all the best in his future career,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Mr Nader said “The past eight years have been an incredible experience, overseeing the rapid rise of Hong Kong racing in every aspect imaginable. The incredible growth we have achieved is a credit to our entire organisation, led by Winfried and the Board of Stewards and driven by a talented group of dedicated individuals who are the cornerstone of our success. When I accepted this job in 2007, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime and something very special. It has exceeded all expectations and I will be forever grateful. I look forward to working in my current capacity through the Longines Hong Kong International Races in December and the Asian Racing Conference in January 2016.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future”with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.