Hong Kong Jockey Club appoints Martin Liao as chairman

Liao has been appointed as the 27th chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Hong Kong.- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced the appointment of Martin Liao as chairman of the club for 2025/26 and Lester Huang as deputy chairman. Liao, the 27th chairman in the club’s history, succeeds Michael T H Lee, who stood down from the Board of Stewards at the conclusion of the 2025 AGM after 19 years as a steward, the past three as chairman.

Alongside Liao’s appointment, voting members elected two new stewards to fill the vacancies left by Lee and by Silas S S Yang, who decided not to seek for re-election. Rimsky Yuen was elected for a two-year term and John Lo for a three-year term. Liao, Andrew W B R Weir and Jackson Woo Ka Biu were re-elected for three-year terms.

Yuen has been a member of the club since 2001 and a voting member since 2020. He is currently a member of the Happy Valley Clubhouse Subcommittee. Lo has been a member since 2010 and a Voting Member since 2021. He is currently a member of the Sha Tin Clubhouse Subcommittee. 

Liao paid tribute to his predecessor: “Michael proved the epitome of stable helmsmanship during his tenure. He helped guide the Club through considerable change during the post-pandemic period, confronting challenges with resilience and calm while ensuring the Club upheld its strong commitment to the community. He leaves the Club as well placed as it has ever been to achieve its strategic goals in the years ahead,” he said.

Looking forward, Liao added, “I am truly honoured to take up the Chairmanship of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. This is an especially exciting time for the Club, with its world-class racing and entertainment attracting growing numbers of fans in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, allied to the undoubted promise offered by equine industry development in the Greater Bay Area. Of course, the Club will remain focused on fulfilling its core and ultimate purpose: the betterment of society.”

HKJC reported strong results for its 140th anniversary year. Despite a challenging economic environment, it reported wagering and lottery stakes were up 5 per cent to HK$320.3bn (US$40.8bn), generating revenue of HK$43.8bn (US$5.62bn).

Total revenue was HK$49.3bn. Less operating costs of HK$14bn (US$1.79bn), EBITDA was HK$35.3bn (US$4.53bn). As reported at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 29, the HKJC contributed a record HK$28.8bn (US$3.69bn) in betting duty and profits tax to the HKSAR government and HK$1.3bn to the Lotteries Fund.

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See also: Hong Kong Jockey Club reports strong full-year results

Liao has been appointed as the 27th chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Hong Kong.- The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has announced the appointment of Martin Liao as…