China Travel

It's a popular saying: "Hong Kong's favorite sport is making money and in horseracing you have Hong Kong's favorite money sport." Happy Valley has been important to the city since 1846. Some say the city grew up around the racecourse. Happy Valley Racecourse is an oasis of green in the midst of the city with impressive tracks, a green expanse surrounded by high-rises. Before the races the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, residents of the surrounding high-rises throw cocktail parties on their balconies overlooking the track. And everyone knows there are two types of green in Hong Kong.

An incredibly popular pastime, the "Sport of Kings" is the only form of gambling legal in Hong Kong, but it's still not without it's share shady practices. In one racing season (September to June), more than HK$91 billion is taken in. Wealthy businessmen, holiday makers, locals and hard gambling addicts rush to throw down money their money as the horses gallope around this famous track. Even if you are not into betting, it's an experience to take in a race.

The name of the district "Happy Valley" is ironic considering that this was once a malaria infested district. There are many old cemeteries here commemorating those who died from the disease and also in the great fire at the racecourse in the 1920s.

Night races are the most atmospheric with bright lights, a charged atmosphere, and the winnings for betting on the right horse are huge. An enormous video screen surrounding the racecourse displays the races in progress, as well as all racing forms, manners of betting, and other relevant details.