A Night at Happy Valley
Many positive emotions can be described when visiting a racetrack, especially one you haven’t been to in a very long time. Such was the case for me when I had the fortunate experience to attend a night of racing at Happy Valley in Hong Kong this past Wednesday. I may get to visit Hong Kong on a fairly frequent basis, however, my attendance is usually isolated to Sha Tin, the larger of the two race tracks that hosts the weekend racing cards.
Happy Valley is an experience unlike anything I’ve been a part of. Set in a narrow opening of skyscrapers and apartment high rises, it’s easy to miss this tiny oval amongst the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Once you find your way into the facility, there’s something for everyone. Packed shoulder to shoulder in the general admission area, it’s nothing short of a party for the young professionals of the city, while also a mid week fix for the dedicated wagering faithful of the city state. The energy contained within the many thousands in attendance was as intoxicating as the free flowing beer from the many vendors on the apron. This was my first time back to a Hong Kong racetrack in nearly 6 months. I missed it.
The larger oval at Sha Tin houses a 9 furlong turf oval and a shorter dirt track that suits many high grade stakes races including the upcoming Hong Kong International Races. Happy Valley, however, is a shorter track with tight, banked turns. Most horses that run here are not the Hong Kong elite, but rather ones that have taken a liking to the setting of the track. Although I may not remember many of the specific horses that ran, I was fortunate enough to bump into old friends of the international racing community as well as getting to meet some new friendly faces. Spread from Virginia to Scotland to Melbourne, the crowd was truly as diverse as the city of Hong Kong is known for.
While the night felt more chaotic than relaxing, it was hard not to be absorbed into the energy of the venue. Horses had their time to shine every every half hour, but the time between the races was electric and just as exciting. Aside from a completely different handicapping challenge compared to Sha Tin, I had to learn to navigate the unfamiliar territories of Happy Valley. Everyone can walk through the parade ring after the post parade. Even the jockeys are more relaxed, taking time to acknowledge fans after each win on their way to the winners circle.
Once the racing was complete, it was a mad dash to the subway before it shut down for the night at midnight. Despite the eight race card at the end of a workday, the energy and enjoyment was not lost. The whole night seemed to fly by, and knowing that Thursday brought us back to the monotonous grind of the workweek, there was nothing short of a sea of smiling faces exiting the track. Whether you or your travel group enjoy racing or not, the gem of Wednesday night at the Valley is something that should not be missed by anyone visiting Hong Kong.