Hong Kong Derby

Last updated
Hong Kong Derby
Group One (domestic) race
Hong Kong Derby 20240324.jpg
The start of the 2024 Hong Kong Derby
Location Sha Tin Racecourse
Hong Kong
Inaugurated1873
Race typeThoroughbred
Website Hong Kong Derby
Race information
Distance2000m (10 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationFour-years-old only
Weight Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg)
Filly: 122 lbs. (55.3 kg)
PurseHK$24 million

The Hong Kong Derby is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1873. Restricted to horses four-years-old only since 1981, the race is run in mid-March and is the premier event on the domestic racing programme with a purse of HK$18 million (app. US$2.3 million). This race is the last race in the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old ClassicSeries.

Contents

The first Hong Kong Derby was raced at Happy Valley Racecourse but in 1979 was transferred permanently to its present location at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Since 1981, the Derby has been won by several horses who went on to earn Hong Kong Horse of the Year honors including Football, Co-Tack, Yuno When and River Verdon. In 2003, Elegant Fashion became the first filly to win the Derby since 1976.

From 2004 to 2012, the race was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. It is sponsored by BMW since 2013, and since then the Hong Kong actor and martial artist Donnie Yen has been appointed as the "BMW Hong Kong Derby Ambassador" for promoting the event and presenting the awards to the winning units. [1] [2]

Race distance

Donnie Yen attending the Hong Kong Derby 2024 raceday as the "BMW Hong Kong Derby Ambassador" on 24 March 2024 Donnie Yen 20240324.jpg
Donnie Yen attending the Hong Kong Derby 2024 raceday as the "BMW Hong Kong Derby Ambassador" on 24 March 2024

The racing distance of the Hong Kong Derby has varied over the years. From 2000 to present, the distance has been 2000 metres, with the starting point in front of the Sha Tin grandstand. From 1977 to 1999, the race was held over 1800m. From 1973 to 1976, the distance was 2230m. From 1967 to 1972, the distance was "From The Two Mile Post Once Round & In" (1 mile 171 yards.) From 1963 to 1966, the distance was 1 1/4 mile. In 1961 & 1962, the distance was "From the Half Mile Post Once Round & In" (1 mile 3 furlongs 65 yards.) From 1947 to 1960, the distance was One and a Half mile**.

Past winners

Trophy of the Hong Kong Derby Hong Kong Derby 20240324 (trophy).jpg
Trophy of the Hong Kong Derby
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2024Massive Sovereign Zac Purton Dennis Yip Chor-hongChan Kam Hung1:59.85
2023Voyage BubbleAlexis Badel Ricky Yiu Poon-fai Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate2:02.78
2022 Romantic Warrior Karis Teetan Danny Shum Chap-shingPeter Lau Pak Fai2:00.23
2021Sky Darci João Moreira Caspar Fownes Jessica Kwan Mun Hang2:01.32
2020 Golden Sixty C.Y. Ho Francis Lui Kin-waiStanley Chan Ka Leung2:00.15
2019Furore Hugh Bowman Frankie Lor Fu-chuen Lee Sheung Chau2:01.30
2018Ping Hai Star Ryan Moore John Size Zeng Shengli2:01.18
2017 Rapper Dragon João Moreira John Moore Albert Hung Chao Hong2:02.88
2016Werther Hugh Bowman John Moore Johnson Chen2:01.76
2015Luger Zac Purton John Size Terry Fok Kwong Hang2:01.28
2014 Designs On Rome Tommy Berry John Moore Cheng Keung Fai2:02.04
2013 Akeed Mofeed * Douglas Whyte Richard Gibson Pan Sutong 2:01.84
2012Fay Fay Douglas Whyte John Size Alexander Wong2:04.41
2011 Ambitious Dragon Maxime Guyon Anthony T. Millard Lam Pui Hung2:01.50
2010 Super Satin Douglas Whyte Caspar Fownes Ranjan Tikam Mahtani2:03.59
2009 Collection Darren Beadman John Moore 07/08 John Moore Trainer Syndicate2:02.50
2008Helene Mascot Felix Coetzee Tony Cruz Dawson Woo Ka Chung, Wilson Woo Ka Wah et al.2:01.3
2007Vital King Brett Prebble Paul O'Sullivan Chong Man-lung2:02.9
2006 Viva Pataca Christophe Soumillon John Moore Stanley Ho Hung-Sun 2:04.6
2005 Vengeance of Rain Anthony Delpech David E. Ferraris Chow Nam & Raymond Gianco Chow Hon Man2:04.3
2004 Lucky Owners * Felix Coetzee Tony Cruz Leung Kai Fai2:02.6
2003Elegant Fashion Gerald Mosse David A. Hayes Gene Tsoi Wai-wang2:03.6
2002Olympic Express Weichong Marwing Ivan Allan Larry Yung Chi Kin 2:05.1
2001Industrial Pioneer Gerald Mosse Brian Kan Ping-chee Albert Hu Si Nok et al.2:03.1
2000Keen Winner Robbie Fradd Anthony T. Millard Victor Lui Ting et al.2:03.3
1999Holy Grail David Harrison Ivan Allan Mr & Mrs Michael C. Kwee1:47.1
1998Johan Cruyff * Éric Legrix Patrick L. Biancone Thomas Liang Ting Sen1:47.7
1997Oriental ExpressBasil Marcus Ivan Allan Larry Yung Chi Kin 1:47.6
1996Che Sara Sara Michael Kinane David Oughton Paul Kan Man-Lok 1:49.3
1995Makarpura Star Tony Cruz John Moore Frank Wong Wing-Pak1:49.5
1994Super Fit Gerald Mosse Lawrie FownesStanley Ho Sau Nan et al.1:49.5
1993Helene Star Éric Legrix Patrick L. Biancone Mr & Mrs Woo Po Shing et al.1:48.0
1992Sound Print Michael Kinane Brian Kan Ping-chee Edmund Tam Wing Fan1:48.4
1991River VerdonJohn MatthiasDavid HillSir Oswald Cheung & The Hon Ronald Arculli 1:48.1
1990Reliable Source Maurice Philipperon Peter B. K. Ng Charles Lui Chi Keung1:53.2
1989William's CoachBart Leisher Brian Kan Ping-chee Ma Hay Yan1:47.7
1988Clear City Tony Cruz P. M. ChuLeung Chiu-Lun & Ng Tse-Choy1:48.2
1987Tea For Two II Tony Cruz C. L. NgLee Shing Fat1:49.1
1986Yuno WhenC. M. Cheng Brian Kan Ping-chee D. C. da Silva1:49.2
1985Superior Gold Brian Rouse Brian Kan Ping-chee Joseph Lo Sze Kuen1:50.1
1984Baby Tiger Philippe Paquet T. C. ChengShih Yeh-Ming1:51.0
1983Co-Tack Tony Cruz T. P. WongTsui Tack Kong & Tsui Tack Suen1:54.0
1982Football Joe Mercer T. C. ChengLau Yiu Chu1:49.8
1981Flash of Gold Gary Moore George Moore Colin Chan Ken Pin1:47.6
1980Excalibur Gary Moore George Moore Li & Fenton1:47.9
1979Great SuccessD. BrosnanG. SofronoffLeung Sik Wah1:47.5
1978Top GainPeter MiersTam Man KuiKaichu Jay1:53.3
1977Grand Duke Pat Eddery P.M. ChueLee Pak Huen1:50.8
1976Corvette Philippe Paquet P. Supple John Joseph Swaine 2:24.6
1975Breathing Exercise Pat Eddery J. H. BrownJohn C.P. Koo2:24.1
1974ThrogmortonT. C.ChengN. MetrevelliWayfoong2:21.4
1973Kentucky LadG. CadwaladrJ. H. BrownT. C. Yuen2:24.3
1972VivaciousT. C. ChengG. SofronoffChan Wai Kam1:50.3
1971Gwynt-TeqG. B. CollopyD. BelovR. Beynon1:52.1
1970Mount SuperiorA. J. SilvaLee Tin LamDr. & Mrs. Yen Ching Lan1:50.4
1969PaddyG. H. WilliamsTam Man KuiD. Benson1:51
1968ExcelT. J. HoreLee Tin LamRV Louey & LE Louey1:51.4
1967AscotAlex LamChong Hok ManNg Chung Kwan1:51.3
1966Tender HeartT. LamN. MetrevelliDr. R. A. Perry2:14
1965Lakh MarkJ. M. da CruzN. MetrevelliKwong Wing Kam2:10.4
1964CzarinaAlbert LamCheung Hok ManChiu Keung Wu2:09.4
1963Big GameG. H. WilliamM. PereboeffLai Im Tong2:06.2
1962Liar DiceR. TsaiLee Tim LamPVCE Libenschutz
1961WalbrookR. TsaiN. MetrevelliWayfoong
1960VirtuousT.H.YauN. MetrevelliLeung Tak Wa
1959FascinationM. SamarcqWong Siu HungF K Pattinson & Hui Sai Fun
1958Genghis KhanA. LamM. PereboeffLi Che Ho
1957SerbuK. KwokE.K. TokmakoffDr Leung Tin Sun & Partners
1956Balkan MonarchChun KitN. MetrevelliO.R. Sadrick
1949Golden DahliaShiehLai Loi FookKwan Fan-Fat & Partners2:43**
1948AtamanE.A. BrodieN. TiukavkinGrebro
1947Norse QueenA. OstroumoffR. Johannessen
1946Race did not take place due to the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941OolongV.V. NeedaTKL
1940SatinlightR.B. MollerG. SofronoffCire
1939Rose ElectC. EncarnacaoEu Tong Sen
1938SilkylightR.B. MollerCire
1937Happy EveV.V. NeedaEve
1936Honeymoon EveV.V. NeedaEve
1935HerodW.H.S DavisHem
1934HydroplaneB.A. ProulxPlane
1933TrentbridgeV.V. NeedaMrs Pearce
1932Liberty BayW. HillL. Dunbar
1931King's ServiceY.S. ChangDynasty
1930Diana BayW. HillL. Dunbar
1929President HallC. EncarnacaoHo Kom Tong
1928Sitting BullH. MaitlandMrs E.L. Dunbar
1927Elliot BayDallasL. Dunbar
1926Glorious DahliaMcBainSir Paul Chater
1923Ideal DahliaSoaresSir Paul Chater
1916Winsome DahliaBurkillSir Paul Chater
1915Perfection DahliaVidaSir Paul Chater
1914Jewel AsterBrandSir Paul Chater
1912White HawthornBurkillSir Paul Chater
1911Coronation RoseBurkillSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1910Royal RoseBurkillSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1909Little Gem RoseBurkillSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1907Spring RoseMasterSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1906Triumph RoseHayesSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1904Coronet RoseW CoxSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1899Wild RoseWuillenmuirSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1895Black VelvetPondSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1889Pao ShingBurkillSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1886MarauderPondSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody
1885FunPondSir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody [3]
1884RappahannockPondSir Paul Chater
1878White VelvetLewisSir Paul Chater

designates a Triple Crown Winner of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

designates a filly.

* designates a colt (non-gelding).

See also

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References

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  3. "Racing Memories – Sir H.N.Mody".