Nader takes job in Hong Kong

Bill Nader, the senior vice president and chief operating officer of the New York Racing Association, has been hired as the executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the overseas organization announced on Friday.

Nader, 49, started his career 20 years ago at Rockingham Park and moved rapidly up the ranks at NYRA. He will start in his new job on April 23, the Hong Kong Jockey Club said.

"One of my main goals will be to revitalize the racing product and to continue improving the quality of horse racing," Nader said, in a release distributed by the HKJC. "There are many challenges ahead and I look forward to working with a strong team that shares a commitment to excellence."

Nader was said to be out of town and unavailable for comment on Thursday and Friday.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club operates two racetracks, Sha Tin Racecourse and Happy Valley Racecourse, that hold approximately 80 days of live racing each year. Each live racing days typically draws approximately $100 million in wagers.