Racing enthusiasts in Macau, the historic birthplace of racing in Asia, received a surprising blow as the government officially announced the revocation of the Jockey Club's licence, marking the end of the once-illustrious thoroughbred industry.
This decision, effective from the beginning of April, caught many in the racing community off guard, leaving them contemplating the uncertain future of the sport in the region.
In a parallel narrative, the racing landscape in Singapore, another formerly thriving jurisdiction, is set to conclude on October 5 this year.
The government's decision, made 16 months ago, to shut down racing after a rich 180-year history has already prompted trainers like Michael Clements and Shane Baertschiger to retire, while others, both local and expatriate, are grappling with decisions about their professional paths.
Gary Moore, an eight-time premier trainer in Macau, expressed his shock and refrained from commenting further after learning about the abrupt end to his stint at the Jockey Club, which now faces closure within a mere 11 weeks.
Fellow trainer Joe Lau also chose to remain silent on the matter. The impact extends beyond trainers to include jockeys, such as expatriate Australian Geoff Allendorf, who spent 18 years contributing to the Macau racing scene.
The cancellation of horse imports to Macau last year led to diminishing fields, raising concerns about the sport's long-term viability, which culminated in Monday's decision.
André Cheong Weng Chon, the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macau government, disclosed that the Macau Jockey Club had approached the government last year about relinquishing its contract to operate horse racing at Taipa.
The closure will impact 570 employees of the MJC, with the government facilitating the relocation of the 290 horses at the club to mainland China or other countries like Australia and New Zealand by March 31, 2025.