STATEMENT FROM IAN RENTON FOLLOWING TODAY'S MEETING WITH THE JOCKEYS' ASSOCIATION & RACETECH
After today's meeting with the Jockeys' Association and Racetech, Ian Renton, Arena Leisure's Racing Director, said: "Following our discussions this morning with John Blake of the Jockeys' Association and Mick Both of Racetech, I am pleased to say that after highly constructive talks significant progress has been made.
"Arena are committed to working to maintain the expertise of the current workforce of stalls handlers and will welcome approaches to discuss employment opportunities during the winter months.
"We will be working closely with all parties to try to ensure that the employment packages on offer from both Racetech and Arena are sufficient to encourage the retention of the experienced stalls handlers within the Racing industry."
FORMER RHKJC CHIEF EXECUTIVE WATKINS TO CHAIR HONG KONG BREEDERS CLUB INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Major-General Guy Watkins, who ran racing in Hong Kong for 10 years during a golden period for the sport, has agreed to become Chairman of the Hong Kong Breeders Club International Advisory Board.
Guy Watkins was a career soldier in the British army for 33 years, reaching the rank of Major-General by the time of his retirement in 1986, when a lifelong interest in horses and racing led to him becoming Chief Executive of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club.
During his tenure as Chief Executive, the RHKJC made substantial strides in advancing the quality and reputation of Hong Kong's racing. Major improvements were made to the tracks and grandstands at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses, longstanding import restrictions were removed, owners were increasingly encouraged to buy better horses, top trainers and jockeys were recruited from around the world while the introduction of the Hong Kong International Races and the Hong Kong Sale placed local racing firmly on the world stage.
After leaving the RHKJC in 1996, and with racing contacts around the world, Major-General Watkins returned to England and maintained his involvement in racing through two non-executive Board appointments. The first was with Racecourse Holdings Trust which owns and manages 13 racecourses in the UK - including Newmarket, Epsom, Cheltenham, Aintree and Sandown. The second was with the British Bloodstock Agency at Newmarket, at that time still a major player in the sales world. From 1999 to 2001 he was also Honorary Racing Consultant to the Macau Jockey Club. Since stepping down from his Board appointments, Guy Watkins has operated as an independent consultant on racing matters.
Major-General Watkins said today: "I am honoured to be invited to serve as Chairman of the Hong Kong Breeders Club's International Advisory Board. I believe that breeding top-quality thoroughbreds is a logical next step in further widening the interests of Hong Kong owners whilst also enhancing the standards of Hong Kong's racing. Breeding good thoroughbreds needs time, patience, expertise - and perhaps a little luck - but it is a fascinating and potentially very rewarding hobby. I look forward to sharing my experience and my global contacts with the Club's fellow Advisory Board members."
Major-General Watkins will be coming to Hong Kong to chair the opening press conference of the Club on September 6 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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