Stephen Higgins is the head of race-day operations, tracks and racing facilities at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, whose main role is to ensure the smooth running of races at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
Ahead of the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley on Wednesday, he spoke to Stephy Zhang about how he and his team guarantee a safe and optimal environment for thousands of racehorses, trainers and jockeys on race days.
In 2020, following Hong Kong’s first black rainstorm in three years, Stephen Higgins and his team ensured that Sunday racing at Sha Tin went ahead seamlessly despite almost 500mm of torrential rain.
Under normal conditions, the Sha Tin turf is regarded as one of the most stable surfaces in global racing, and at the heart of this high-stakes operation is Higgins and his 240-strong team of professionals.
Since joining the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2017 as the head of race-day operations, tracks and racing facilities, Higgins has acted as the custodian of the tracks at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley, ensuring a safe and optimal environment for thousands of racehorses, trainers and jockeys.
