The establishment of Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance (HKTBA)

[Wandering Eyes]

The Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance (HKTBA) was officially established on June 5th, 2023, and the inauguration ceremony of the first executive committee was held on July 12th.

The main goal of HKTBA is to promote and strengthen the understanding and knowledge of thoroughbred breeding among Hong Kong Jockey Club horse owners. At the same time, it aims to develop relations between global, international, and mainland breeders and different breeding management organizations around the world and to make contribution to the global thoroughbred breeding industry.

The first chairman of HKTBA is Mr. Apollo Ng, a Voting Member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The other four vice-chairpersons include Mr. David Boehm, who is also a Voting Member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms. Nicola Chu, Mr. Josiah Ma, and Mr. Martin Siu. Honorary Secretary is Mr. Ian Sham, Honorary Legal Advisor is Mr. TC Chan and Honorary Auditor is Mr. Jason Liu.

The inauguration ceremony of the first executive committee of HKTBA attracted many international and Hong Kong horse racing industry identities, including Mr. Adam Sangster, the son of the late international breeder Robert Sangster and the principal of famous Australian breeding farm Swettenham Stud, as well as Hong Kong Jockey Club Stewards, trainers, council members of the Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association and other horse owners.

Although Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, was unable to attend the ceremony, he recorded a congratulatory video. Other prominent figures from the breeding industry in different places also sent congratulatory messages to celebrate the establishment of HKTBA including Mr. Zhang Yuesheng, Chairman of China Horse owners Alliance (CHOA); Mr. John Messara, former Chairman of Racing Australia, and principal of top Australian breeding farm Arrowfield Stud; Mr. Charles O’Neill, CEO of ITM (Irish Thoroughbred Marketing); Ms. Minty Farquhar, General Manager of GBRI (Great British Racing International); Tattersalls; Mr. David Chester, Sales Director of Magic Millions as well as Mr. Neville Bell, Chairman of Brisbane Racing Club.

Mr. Zhang, Chairman of China Horse-owners Alliance, said in his congratulatory message:

“Dear Mr. Ng, I was delighted to hear that you have been appointed as the first Chairman of the Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance (HKTBA). On behalf of the China Horseowners Alliance (CHOA), I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your fellow members of the Executive Committee of HKTBA: Mr. David Boehm, Ms. Nicola Chu, Mr. Josiah Ma, Mr. Martin Siu, and Mr. Ian Sham. I believe that the HKTBA will play a very positive role in promoting the development of the horse breeding industry in Hong Kong and even the entire thoroughbred horse industry in China. I look forward to the CHOA having more interactions with your esteemed organization in the future.”

Mr. John Messara, former Chairman of Racing Australia, and principal of top Australian breeding farm Arrowfield Stud, said in his congratulatory message: “Congratulations on the establishment of the Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders Alliance. The Alliance will provide a vehicle for thoroughbred breeders in Hong Kong and others interested in breeding thoroughbreds to join together in the quest for knowledge and friendships in the breeding capitals of the world, including Australia. My farm, Arrowfield, would welcome visits from members of the Alliance in the future.”

Ms. Minty Farquhar, General Manager of GBRI, said in her congratulatory message: “The team at Great British Racing International would like to take this opportunity to offer their sincere congratulations to the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance on the inauguration of this important initiative. We hope to work closely with the HKTBA to support the delivery of its objectives over the coming years, and to develop strong and enduring relations between Hong Kong’s thoroughbred breeders and the world-class breeding industry we are proud to have here in Britain.”

For any inquiries, please email hkbreedersalliance@gmail.com or visit the HKTBA website at
www.hktba.org.

Secretary of HKTBA

The first members of the Executive Committee of HKTBA
Chairman Mr. Apollo Ng
Vice Chairman Mr. David Boehm
Vice Chairlady Ms. Nicola Chu
Vice Chairman Mr. Josiah Ma
Vice Chairman Mr. Martin Siu
Honorary Secretary Mr. Ian Sham

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