CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hong Kong Jockey Club
POWER SCORE: 1,532
POSITION LAST YEAR: 17
CLAIMS TO FAME
• Driving force behind the modernization and revitalization of the HKJC
• Has helped HKJC become Hong Kong’s biggest employer
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), continues to set records with racing turnover of HK$124.82 billion in 2018-19, an impressive result after a challenging season.
While attendance and turnover fell dramatically mid-season, it surged again late in the year, including a record single day turnover of HK$1.97 billion on the final day and total attendance reaching 2.21 million customers, up by 3.3% and pushing season turnover up 0.4% year-on-year.
Run as a non-profit, the HKJC is the city’s biggest taxpayer and donates millions each year to charities and community causes. It is also the most successful of any racing club in the world.
Engelbrecht-Bresges has proved to be key to such incredible success. Arriving in 1998 as racing director before taking on the top job nine years later, the former German youth football team player has transformed HKJC from a second-rate, highly introverted organization to one that is the envy of the racing world.
Under Engelbrecht-Bresges’ watch, HKJC has invested millions into transforming almost every aspect of the business – from redevelopment of Sha Tin Racecourse under the Racecourse Master Plan to the quality of horses running and extensive customer segmentation work to provide a complete race day experience.
The vastly improved product that is Hong Kong racing has subsequently enjoyed an explosion in popularity which has transferred directly to the betting ring – most notably via commingling with a number of lucrative overseas deals signed since HKJC was granted permission to commingle in 2013.
For the full list of 2019 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
