HK Breeders
Club Inaugurates Breeder of the Year Award
The international successes of
Hong Kong racehorses and racehorse owners are
now to be complemented by an award that will
acknowledge achievements in thoroughbred breeding.
The Hong Kong
Breeders Club today announced the inauguration
of the Hong Kong Breeder of the Year Award;
an Award that will recognize excellence and
accomplishment by a thoroughbred breeder based
in either Hong Kong or China. The first winner
of the Award will be announced in Hong Kong
on Monday 12th December -- the day after the
Hong Kong Jockey Club's "world turf championship"
day at Sha Tin.
Major
General Guy Watkins, chairman of the Hong Kong
Breeders Club International Advisory Board said,
"I warmly welcome this new initiative.
The award will not only recognise past excellence
but will also help to encourage a future interest
in thoroughbred breeding from within Hong Kong
and China."
When
deciding on the Award criteria the HKBC confirmed
that the racecourse test will always be the
ultimate arbiter of thoroughbred excellence.
They have therefore ruled that performances
on the track will be the most important assessment
factor, with particular weight being given to
results in Graded, Group and Listed events.
HKBC
has also ruled that although the Award will
be based principally on race performances during
the past calendar year the selection committee
may also consider other factors as secondary
criteria. These could include: the length of
time of a candidate's involvement in the breeding
industry; the extent and value of a candidate's
investment in breeding -- in bloodstock and/or
in real estate; sales results and any past record
of successes as a breeder; any record of administrative
contribution to the racing/breeding industry
- for example through Breeders Associations
or Race Club Boards; or any involvement in racing
related charities or in the training of young
people in the racing/breeding industry.
Major
General Watkins added that although the Selection
Committee may consider the extent of a candidate's
bloodstock holdings the emphasis will always
be on quality rather than quantity. The Committee
may also take due note of any fresh breeding
industry initiative that has taken place during
the past year; such as the acquisition of active
racing stock destined for the stud farm post
retirement. The Committee will also be looking
for professional awareness and expertise in
the Award winner; qualities that may be demonstrated
by the ability to anticipate or initiate successful
new trends rather than simply following established
practice.
The
independent Selection Committee will be chaired
by Major General Watkins who will be joined
by three distinguished members; Mr. Murray Bell,
the respected Racing Editor of Hong Kong's leading
English language daily, The South China Morning
Post Mr. Paul Cheng, racehorse owner and current
Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward; and Mr. Ronald
Napier, former Chairman of the Jockey Club of
South Africa and a successful breeder in his
own right.
The
Hong Kong Breeders Club was founded by Mr. Richard
Hui, Mr. Paul Kan, Mr. Peter Yip and friends.
Their aim is to promote thoroughbred breeding
among racing enthusiasts in Hong Kong and China;
both as an interesting and enjoyable hobby,
and as a hobby with possible investment potential.
The founders also hope to help Club members
integrate their thoroughbred breeding interests
into a family lifestyle. This would be through
shared access to vacation farm houses, golf
courses, fishing trips and other leisure facilities
in exclusive and sought after locations that
are close to stud farms.
In
addition to thoroughbred breeding the Club is
also devoted to helping improve the standard
of equestrian sport in Hong Kong and China,
as well as supporting approved charity and/or
research projects through the HKBC Charity Foundation.
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