Hong Kong is expected to get a HK$35 million boost to its economy as horse racing fans from around the world join this week's International Races Week.

The event that began on Monday has attracted about 1,400 overseas visitors on racing tours from countries including Australia and the UK, which is 130 percent more than a year ago, according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Highlights include the International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, and the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse this Sunday.

John McGauran from Australian Racing Tours said his firm has been bringing customers to the SAR to enjoy the “world’s best racing” for more than a decade.

“No one has a track like Happy Valley anywhere in the world. The experience of having a track right in the middle of the city with all the buildings and the lights all around it, and bringing together the best horses in the world, the elite racing... is just the best, and why everyone wants to come to Hong Kong racing. It’s just amazing,” he said.

“Obviously Sha Tin is a special place for the international races on Sunday. But the jockey challenge here is also a highlight, to see all the international jockeys compete against each other.”

McGauran said the 120 members of his tour have each reserved at least AUD$5,000 for shopping and entertainment during their stay.

Bookings have already come in for next year’s International Races Week, he added.

The Jockey Club said on top of their air fares, hotels and tour fees, the international visitors are expected to spend a total of HK$35 million on retail and catering during their time in the SAR.

Brittany Taylor from Australia said coming to Hong Kong for the horse racing has always been on her bucket list.

“Hong Kong racing’s always been something that I’ve watched. I’m from Perth, Western Australia, so we’re in the same time zone as Hong Kong, which means it’s always something on a Wednesday night you watch at home. And then on a Sunday it interchanges with our local racing in Perth,” she said.

“I’ve always had a great affinity watching the Hong Kong racing, and so to be able to be here in the flesh and see what this all looks like is just amazing.”

Taylor added that she has bought so much during her visit to the city that she might need to get an extra suitcase to take it all home.