http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/22628-Horse-racing-also-social-event.htmlHorse racing is also a social event
28/02/2011 07:17:00
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Harry Troy on TDM Talk Show
Behind the show itself, horse racing in Macau has a very interesting story. Introduced by the British, Macau was the first place in Asia to host horse racing, explained Harry Troy, commentator at Macau Jockey Club (MJC). According to the former jockey, horse racing is much more than just gambling – it’s a sport as well as a social event, which is set to gain more recognition in China, he explained.
However, he acknowledged, there is still a long way to go. On last weekend’s TDM Talk Show, Troy expressed disappointment that the local population doesn’t pay much attention to what happens at the MJC. “I’m very surprised that the local population hasn’t grabbed it more. Companies like the Venetian or MGM could use it even just for social days for the staff. Even the local tour operators [pay little attention to the club],” he bemoaned.
According to him, there is still a missing link between the local Jockey Club, companies and tour operators. “It is a terrific fun day. It includes food and beverages. You don’t have necessarily to be a gambler to enjoy the excitement of the racing.”
“Because of the way the club is built, you can be at the top of the action, of the race parade rink, in close proximity of the track. It’s a good social day. It’s a great social gathering place,” he pointed out.
Horse racing is a very colourful industry and is all about excitement, Troy continued. “You watch beautiful horses racing and the jockeys in their suits. There is always the lure of the gambling, which is the primary feature of horse racing.
“It pays everyone’s salary and prizes. It’s a big industry, not only in Macau, but worldwide that provides so much employment,” he stressed.
The commentator believes that horse racing and the tourism industry are a perfect match. “It’s a further promotional tool for other industries. This is a way to make people’s weekends more exciting,” he explained.
How? By providing many other activities besides racing, said Troy, highlighting that “[the MJC offers] tremendous club facilities for members,” like basketball and football fields and a riding school, where people can do equestrian riding or jumping.
“Behind the scene there is still a lot to be seen.”
Presently, the Jockey Club has 30 jockeys from Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, as well as 28 full time trainers. “Horse population varies…the number dropped in the past few years due to the economic downturn,” he said.
Bright future
Nevertheless, Troy believes that in the next five or 10 years horse racing will experience an expansion, not only in Macau but across Asia. “I can only see it expanding. It will explode when China opens up,” he stressed.
“Of course the law has to be changed, because China doesn’t allow gambling. It will make a tremendous opportunity for employment and the tax fund raising will allow building hospitals and other community facilities as we do in other countries.”
Although it is not possible to gamble in China, some of the major Chinese cities have “magnificent racetracks”. Troy is certain that is a matter of time for mainland China to open up to horse racing and equestrian sports.
“The [Beijing] Olympics took a great part in the equestrian sports. In Hong Kong for a couple of years, equestrian and jump shows have been there, but it is becoming more and more popular in the Mainland.”
“It [China] is getting terrific riding skills. It is fostering equestrian events and now it is also time for polo. People are becoming more and more aware and are getting more capital.
“The economy in China is doing well and people want to get out and enjoy a different sport,” he said, adding that this kind of sport is also part of the elite class, which gives social status.
According to Troy, horse racing has been around in Macau for more than 300 years, something described by a fine rider and trader from England who visited Macau and noticed that horse racing was taking place here.
“Actually, Macau is the birthplace of horse racing in Asia. The East India Company in the 18th century build a horse track at the hippodrome and races were conducted there for a number of years.
“The Royal Jockey Club in Hong Kong was founded in 1841, but they lacked a racetrack and sufficient horses, so the first races took place in Macau,” he said.
The British were the ones who brought races to Macau, before the company Happy Valley commenced operation in 1846. In the 1920s, Macau built the new race club that today is the current Macau Jockey Club.
Troy started his career in Australia several decades ago and Macau was his first adventure overseas. “I grew up on a race track, because my father was a bookie. I ran on the racetrack since I was six years old, unlike in Asia where you have to be 18 years old to come to a horse racing.
“In Australia, you can go at any age. It was just in my brain that I wanted to be a horse racer. I actually ran away from home to become a jockey,” he recalled.
Horse racing, he said, is as dangerous as any other sport. “You have to have it in your heart, I grew up with the love of horse racing.”
