Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges heralded the event as a “great vision” by organisers EEM World.
“It is a credit to EEM World to bring such a high class equestrian event to Hong Kong. It is the right city to hold such a competition in,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
Top Hong Kong rider Kenneth Cheng took a break from his commitments in Europe to make a special appearance at the press conference. He will join a host of star riders at next month’s event including current European champion Roger-Yves Bost and recent Paris Masters Gucci Grand Prix winner Kevin Staut.
Cheng said he was looking forward to returning to his home city for the event.
“I love riding at this event, I feel like a rock star when I am here,” Cheng joked.
For the first time TVB will be the official broadcaster of the Longines Hong Kong Masters.
TVB General Manager S K Cheong said it was an exciting new step for the broadcaster in the sports arena.
“Our viewers will really enjoy it and the timing is great as it is held just a couple of days out from the Year of the Horse,” Cheong said.
TVB will live broadcast all three major competitions at the 2014 Longines Hong Kong Masters including the Longines Speed Challenge, HKJC Trophy and Longines Grand Prix.
The event will also reach millions of viewers through TVB’s web and mobile media platforms.
EEM World Chairman Christophe Ameeuw announced that the event would be bigger and better in 2014 and welcomed a number of new sponsors and partners.
“This event is here to stay in Hong Kong for a long time and we are very happy to have such wonderful support,” Ameeuw said.
The 2014 Longines Hong Kong Masters will be held from February 21-23 at AsiaWorld Expo.