TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1075818
the issue with the site in Conghua. There are currently nine trainers in Hong Kong who train horses out of both Conghua and Hong Kong, and horses are shipped to Sha Tin two days before running. Conghua sits on land used during the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, which the HKJC supported for equestrian competition. Site development work commenced the following year and the 150-hectare train- ing centre located some 200 kilometres north of Hong Kong was officially opened August 28, 2018. The facility is located in the northeast of the megalopolis of Guangzhou, and the region is famous for its hot springs and lychee farms. Air in the region is fresh and it is an ideal environ- ment for horses to rest and take a break, or for newly imported horses to acclima- tize before running at Sha Tin. There are a total of 11 stable blocks, nine of which are for horses currently racing. Five of the sta- ble blocks are single-story stables, each housing 68 horses. Double-story stables are each capable of accommodating 120 horses. Conghua can house up to a max- imum of 660 Thoroughbreds and there is room for expansion. The site currently has 160 racehorses and the Club is looking to expand to a capacity of over 300 in 2019, with more planned beyond that. Movement of horses between Hong Kong and mainland China means that bi- osecurity measures at the site are at the heart of the Club's top priority. The Club and the government veterinary services of Hong Kong and China have established