Horseracing is said to be Hong Kong's main recreational passion. The racing season runs from September to July and the races are conducted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

There are only two racecourses in Hong Kong. These are Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories and Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong Island.

Sha Tin Racecourse is the home of the world's first retractable roof over a parade ring and the world's longest Diamond Vision Television screen. The racecourse also features two grandstands with a capacity of 85,000. Meanwhile, the track has a turf surface (1560m) and an all weather surface (1899m). The facility can also accommodate 1,260 horses in 23 stables.

Happy Valley Racecourse, on the other hand, is the older of the two racecourses. The facility is surrounded by skyscrapers and looped by Hong Kong Island's famous tramline. Happy Valley Racecourse is famous for its thrilling night races.

The British introduced horse racing to Hong Kong with the establishment of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (now known as the Hong Kong Jockey Club or HKJC) in 1884. Today, club conducts about 700 races every season at Happy Valley and Sha Tin.