Inside the high-stakes world of Hong Kong Jockey Club’s race-day operations

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…