The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced the cancellation of the horse racing meeting that was scheduled to take place at Sha Tin on September 20. This decision was made to show respect for the state funeral arrangements of Tung Chee Hwa, the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and former vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Tung, who served as Hong Kong’s chief executive from 1997 to 2005, passed away on September 8 at the age of 89. In addition to his political roles, he was a former patron of the HKJC, a position that highlighted his connection to the local horse racing community.

The cancellation reflects the significance of Tung’s contributions to Hong Kong’s political and social landscape, as well as the city’s customary observance of mourning periods for prominent public figures. The HKJC’s decision aligns with broader arrangements to honour Tung’s legacy during the state funeral proceedings.

Hong Kong’s horse racing calendar has been temporarily adjusted to accommodate the memorial activities, marking a pause in the sport’s regular schedule at one of the city’s key sporting venues. Further events are expected to resume as planned following the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies.