Three New Zealanders have become the latest to be approved as international owners in Hong Kong, as part of a unique opportunity from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

New Zealand Bloodstock and Pencarrow Stud owner Sir Peter Vela has secured membership and a racing permit as has his daughter Petrea Vela, a former managing director of New Zealand Bloodstock and now board member.

They are joined as new Hong Kong Jockey Club members and permit holders by Christchurch-based businessman and investor Greg Tomlinson, a prominent breeder and owner, who operates under Nearco Stud.

The trio have secured Privately Purchased horse permits (PP), whereby the previously raced  horses must have a confirmed Hong Kong rating of 63 or higher and be aged up to four.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club previously granted ownership to billionaire Chinese businessman Zhang Yuesheng of Yulong Investments and South African racing doyenne Mary Slack, who became the first non-Hong Kong residents to have horses trained full-time in Hong Kong.

Zhang, who has again been granted a PP permit, has this season raced British import Show Respect who is yet to place in four starts, while the Slack-owned Wings Of War has placed in his past two starts.