School Visits Hong Kong Jockey Club

Thoroughbred racehorse health, welfare education and research opportunities were discussed during a visit with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Veterinary Clinical Services team.

Professor Bruce McGorum, Head of the Equine Section at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary studies (R(D)SVS), accompanied by Professor Nat Waran, Director of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare, were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Dr Chris Riggs, head of the veterinary clinical services department of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and his team, during a recent visit to Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong team of experienced equine vets regularly provide placements for extremely fortunate R(D)SVS students who wish to learn more about the veterinary management of racing thoroughbreds in Hong Kong.

As well as being given a tour of the impressively equipped veterinary laboratories and equine facilities at the Sha Tin racecourse, where over 1,200 Thoroughbred horses are cared for by the team, opportunities for further applied clinical research collaborations in shared areas of interest to enhance equine health and welfare were discussed.

The visit ended with a behind the scenes visit to the Happy Valley racetrack where observations of the veterinary team in action, the strict health and welfare checks taking place, as well as seeing the horses race provided an interesting insight into the life of the Hong Kong racehorse, as well as the important role played by the Hong Kong Jockey club veterinary team.