The Macau Jockey Club (MJC) has officially closed, having completed its last race day in front of a much bigger crowd than usual on Saturday.
Two-and-a-half months after the government revealed the MJC would shut its doors on 1 April 2024, the organization posted a message on its official website stating, “Macau Horse Racing successfully staged its last meeting today (30 March), completing its historic mission.
“We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our colleagues who have contributed to our success. As we bid farewell, we cherish the memories created and the milestones achieved during our journey.”
The last race day on Saturday attracted a large number of spectators, many of whom were attending the racecourse for the first time to witness the historic moment.
Macau resident Mr Chan said it was inevitable to be saddened by the closure of the MJC.
“This is the choice of the times, the end of the era,” he said.
Another attended, Mr Chau, expressed a similar sentiment, telling Inside Asian Gaming, “This is something that used to exist in Macau, but the experience was not strong enough. Originally, I thought that the Jockey Club would have other activities because of the last race, but it didn’t.”
With the closure of the MJC, the land and facilities upon which it sits will be handed over to the government without compensation. Although it has not yet been determined what the land will be used for, Macau’s Secretary for Administration and Justice , André Cheong, has already confirmed it won’t be used for any form of gaming.
All eyes will now turn to the MJC’s 269 horses which must be transferred either to mainland China or other nations by no later than 31 March 2025. In an interview with TDM, the MJC’s Chief Operating Officer, Ben To, said applications have been received from horse owners to transfer their horses to the MJC.
“We hope that horse owners will inform the MJC of the destination of their horses before the end of May, so that the Club can arrange for the subsequent procedures for the delivery of the horses,” he said.
Horse owners have described relinquishing the ownership of horses as a desperate measure and the “simplest solution”.
The MJC has offered horse owners two options to resolve the issue of whether to keep their horses or not. Owners can either ship their horses overseas or to the mainland, with the MJC providing them with a reimbursement subsidy for the transfer. Under this scenario, owners will still have to pay a monthly maintenance fee for the horse during the period of the transfer. Alternatively, the owners can retire their horses and hand over the ownership of the horses to the MJC.
On the MJC’s 254 staff, To pointed out that some will be made redundant in accordance with the law, and that assistance will be given to those who are in need of job referrals.
The MJC, previously known as the Macau Trotting Club, was transformed into its current form via the introduction of flat racing in 1989. It was acquired two years later by a consortium led by Dr Stanley Ho as part of a restructuring designed to overcome financial concerns.
In 2018, despite continuing to accrue considerable losses, the MJC signed a new concession to run for 24 years and six months but with the stipulation that it must raise its registered capital to MOP$1.5 billion by the end of 2023 and complete a comprehensive investment program regarding its facilities.
On 15 January this year, the Macau government announced it would terminate the MJC’s concession due to mounting losses and that the SAR would no longer operate horse racing activities. The 35-year history of horse racing in Macau has now come to an end.
