Hong Kong International Races
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong International Races (香港國際賽事) are the most prestigious horse races in Hong Kong
. The event consists of 4 races which are run annually in mid-December at Sha Tin Racecourse
. It is hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club
and has been sponsoring by Cathay Pacific Airways since 2004. The event is televised around the globe. In 2006, the total purse was HKD62million.
, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The first winner was Flying Dancer
, owned by Lim Por Yen and trained by Ping Chee Kan.
The race quickly gained attention and was gradually opened to horses from other countries. Starting in 1991 other races were added to the program and today horses from all over the world compete in the event.
is the world’s richest turf race over 2000m and was the finale of the now defunct World Racing Championships from 1999 to 2005.
has a prize money of HK$20 million. The race was first run in 1991 to mark the staging of the 22nd Asian Racing Conference, and was run over 1400m. From 1999 it was renamed Hong Kong Mile and run over 1600m. It became the World's richest mile race in 2002.
was introduced in 1994. It is run over 2400m and has a purse of HK$14 million.
was debuted in 1999 and was run over 1200m. Since 2006, it has a HK$14 million purse, and it is one the richest the race in the world over 1200m or shorter.
Silent Witness
became back to back winner of the Hong Kong Sprint in 2003 and 2004.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The event consists of 4 races which are run annually in mid-December at Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse
Sha Tin Racecourse is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in Sha Tin in the New Territories. It is managed by Hong Kong Jockey Club.Penfold Park is encircled by the track.-History:...
. It is hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
and has been sponsoring by Cathay Pacific Airways since 2004. The event is televised around the globe. In 2006, the total purse was HKD62million.
History
1989 marked the start of the Hong Kong Cup, which was initially called Hong Kong Invitation Cup and restricted to horses from SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The first winner was Flying Dancer
Flying Dancer
Flying Dancer was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in Hong Kong. Sired by Ballybrit, a descendant of the British champion Polymelus, he was out of the mare Pur Sang who was from the British Hyperion line....
, owned by Lim Por Yen and trained by Ping Chee Kan.
The race quickly gained attention and was gradually opened to horses from other countries. Starting in 1991 other races were added to the program and today horses from all over the world compete in the event.
Hong Kong Cup
The Hong Kong CupHong Kong Cup
The Hong Kong Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2000 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
is the world’s richest turf race over 2000m and was the finale of the now defunct World Racing Championships from 1999 to 2005.
Hong Kong Mile
The Hong Kong MileHong Kong Mile
The Hong Kong Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
has a prize money of HK$20 million. The race was first run in 1991 to mark the staging of the 22nd Asian Racing Conference, and was run over 1400m. From 1999 it was renamed Hong Kong Mile and run over 1600m. It became the World's richest mile race in 2002.
Hong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong VaseHong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
was introduced in 1994. It is run over 2400m and has a purse of HK$14 million.
Hong Kong Sprint
The Hong Kong SprintHong Kong Sprint
The Hong Kong Sprint is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1,200 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
was debuted in 1999 and was run over 1200m. Since 2006, it has a HK$14 million purse, and it is one the richest the race in the world over 1200m or shorter.
Silent Witness
Silent Witness (horse)
Silent Witness was an outstanding Thoroughbred racehorse who won his first 17 starts in sprint races in Hong Kong. He was ranked the world's top sprinter for three seasons....
became back to back winner of the Hong Kong Sprint in 2003 and 2004.