Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region government, signs a document with Macau Horse Race Company Ltd regarding the termination of its horse racing concession on Jan 15, 2024. (PHOTO/MACAO SAR'S GOVERNMENT INFORMATION BUREAU)

Horse racing in Macao will come to an end from April 1, after the Macao government approved Macau Horse Race Company’s request to terminate its horse racing concession on Monday.

The company stated that its decision was prompted by operational challenges and the realization that horse racing activities no longer adequately address the current developmental requirements of society.

The company submitted the request to terminate the concession in 2023. On Monday, Macao Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong signed a document to accept the company’s request

The land and related facilities of the racecourse in Taipa, which is one of the biggest in Asia, will revert to the Macao government without charge for future development.

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The company will arrange for transportation of the horses to other locations by March 31, 2025. It also pledged to properly handle the labor rights and benefits of affected employees.

The Macao government in 2018 agreed with the company to extend the city’s horse racing concession for a period of 24 years and six months, running from March 1, 2018 to August 31, 2042.

The company submitted the request to terminate the concession in 2023. On Monday, Macao Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong signed a document to accept the company’s request.

Despite having a history of over 40 years, horse racing in Macao has experienced a decline in popularity among locals and tourists in recent years, the government said.

In order to facilitate the appropriate stabling of horses during the transitional period, the existing racecourse facilities will be temporarily provided to the race company after the termination of concession, according to the SAR government.

Ung Sau-hong, member of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of Macao’s Municipal Affairs Bureau, said the Macau Horse Race Company keeps 289 horses, including retired horses and horses used for teaching purposes. Her bureau will continue to monitor whether the horses have been properly taken care of.

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She also said that the company intended to send the horses to the Chinese mainland for equestrian purposes, and the Municipal Affairs Bureau would provide assistance in the transfer.

Macau Horse Racing Company has run Macao Jockey Club to operate horse-racing activities. The club is one of the largest private employers in Macao with around 800 employees and over 300 part-time staff.

Previously, the club hosted races all year round, with the racing season starting in September and ending at the end of August in the following year.