Macau Jockey Club insists it won’t pay compensation to horse owners

Talks over compensation have been ongoing between the Macau Jockey Club (MJC) and horse owners ever since the MJC announced its intention to end horse racing activities on April 1st of this year.

In an interview with Inside Asian Gaming, a horse owner described the MJC’s new statement as “unacceptable” because to its continued policy of not providing compensation.

A “horse transportation subsidy,” which would help horse owners move their horses overseas or to China for a maximum of HK$200,000 and HK$30,000, respectively, is the sole commitment the MJC has made thus far.

The Macau Horse Owners Group is requesting that the MJC address the compensation issue by March 15th in a series of open letters that it has recently issued to several Macau SAR government entities, including members of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, and the DICJ.

The MJC responded on March 12th, reportedly noting that the Club is unable to meet the horse owners’ claims for compensation due to “extreme financial pressure.”

In an interview with IAG, one owner expressed their inability to accept the MJC’s response, noting a recurrent request to attend owners’ meetings but no in-person interaction between the owners’ group and senior MJC management, including Chairman Angela Leong.

“In recent months, there has only been formal correspondence—no direct communication,” he said. The MJC encouraged horse owners to purchase horses for Macau racing last year, however the horses were unable to participate, thus this matter has to be made clear.”

The owner said, “Our group consists of many horse owners, and we need to discuss internally before deciding,” when asked about the organization’s future plans.

Less than 20 days left until the MJC closes on April 1st. Among the many unresolved questions are what will happen to the more than 100 workers, what will happen to the horses, and what will happen to the racecourse’s land.

Original story by: IAG