The Sars crisis has contributed to the biggest crash in betting turnover in Hong Kong Jockey Club history, sparking warnings that its contributions to charity and government coffers will be affected.

On August 14 last year, the club found itself communicating the “passing of another great Sars man”. Conor McCarthy was a player, coach, manager, volunteer, and friend to so many.

The SARS virus was identified in March 2003 as the cause of an epidemic that had emerged in China several months before, ... “This is the old SARS club. ...