Hong Kong Racehorse Management

One of the world’s most self-contained racing stables is at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. At this facility, all racehorses are under the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

More than 1,200 horses are stabled at Sha Tin, which has its own farriers, feed and hay suppliers, and veterinary clinic. Each air-conditioned stable block consists of stalls on two or three levels that are reached by ramps. The stalls are floored with rubber mats, and straw, shavings, or shredded newspapers are used for bedding. Waste material is collected and taken to a composting plant where it is turned into fertilizer for agricultural use. All barns have automated watering systems and are equipped with 24-hour video surveillance.

Trainers have access to a sand paddock, an automated walker, and starting gates. Every horse is exercised twice a day by riding, hand-walking, or swimming laps in a large oval pool. Horses entered in races are transported in air-conditioned vans to one of two racetracks and then brought back to the Sha Tin stables.