Six HKJC staff arrested in anti-corruption probe

The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced on Monday (11 November) that 21 people, including six staff working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) have been arrested for suspected corruption.

The Jockey Club staff members — two assistant trainers and four stable staff — are accused of providing privileged information to facilitate illegal bookmaking and control of race horses.

In an operation codenamed Iron Triangle, which started on 9 November, the ICAC organised a raid on a residential property in Tsuen Wan in the Western New Territories of Hong Kong.

The ICAC said in a press release that the Jockey Club has offered its full assistance during the proceedings, adding that neither body would tolerate corruption.

“The two organisations will continue to liaise and cooperate closely to combat related crimes and keep horse racing in Hong Kong clean,” the ICAC said.

In recent weeks, the racing schedule in Hong Kong has been badly affected by ongoing protests against the government of the Chinese special administrative region. 

Earlier this week, the Jockey Club was forced to deny rumours posted online that its Sha Tin Racecourse was being used as a base for law enforcement policing the riots. Today (13 November) it then cancelled the scheduled race meet at Happy Valley Racecourse, saying the latest social unrest and resultant disruption to public transportation made it unsafe for employees and racegoers attending the event.