The Hong Kong Derby
The Hong Kong Derby is a 2000-metre Thoroughbred horse race that is strictly for four-year-old horses. It is staged annually every mid-March at the Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong. It also is the highlight of the Hong Kong domestic racing calendar and it has a prize money purse of HK$16 million or approximately US$2 million.
Geldings and colts who will participate in the Hong Kong Derby must have a weight of 57.2 kilograms or 126 pounds. Meanwhile, participating fillies must have a weight of 55.3 kilograms or 122 pounds. This race has been sponsored by Mercedes Benz since 2004.
The Hong Kong Derby was first raced in 1873 and it was first raced at the Happy Valley raecourse in 1979. Then, it was transferred to Sha Tin. This race had an original distance of 2400 metres and it was adjusted to 1800 metres in 1999. Its current distance of 2000 metres or about 10 furlongs was established in 2000.
Since 1981, the Hong Kong Derby has been won by horses that have been named Hong Kong Horse of the Year. Some of the said horses are Co-Tack, River Verdon, Football and Yuno when. Elegant Fashion won the Hong Kong Derby in 2003, making her the first filly to win since 1976.
In the 2010 Hong Kong Derby, legendary jockey Douglas Whyte led Super Satin to victory by a head over the Tony Cruz-trained Super Pistachio. Super Satin is trained by Caspar Fownes and is owned by Ranjam Tikam Mahtani.
Hong Kong Derby Recent History
|
Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|
2010 |
Super Satin |
Douglas Whyte |
Caspar Fownes |
Ranjan Tikam Mahtani |
2:03.59 |
|
2009 |
Collection |
Darren Beadman |
John Moore |
07/08 John Moore Trainer Syndicate |
2:02.50 |
|
2008 |
Helene Mascot |
Felix Coetzee |
Tony Cruz |
Wilson Woo Ka Wah et al. |
2:01.3 |
|
2007 |
Vital King |
Brett Prebble |
Paul O’Sullivan |
Chong Man-lung |
2:02.9 |
|
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 Man |
2:04.3 |
|
2004 |
Lucky Owners |
Felix Coetzee |
Tony Cruz |
Leung Kai Fai |
2:02.6 |
|
2003 |
Elegant Fashion |
Gerald Mosse |
David A. Hayes |
Gene Tsoi Wai-wang |
2:03.6 |
|
2002 |
Olympic Express |
Weichong Marwing |
Ivan W. Allan |
Larry Yung Chi Kin |
2:05.1 |
|
2001 |
Industrial Pioneer |
Gerald Mosse |
Brian Kan Ping-chee |
Albert Hu Si Nok et al. |
2:03.1 |
|
2000 |
Keen Winner |
Robbie Fradd |
Anthony T. Millard |
Victor Lui Ting et al. |
2:03.3 |
|
1999 |
Holy Grail |
David Harrison |
Ivan W. Allan |
Mr & Mrs Michael C. Kwee |
1:47.1 |
|
1998 |
Johan Cruyff |
Eric Legrix |
Patrick L. Biancone |
Thomas Liang Ting Sen |
1:47.7 |
|
1997 |
Oriental Express |
Basil Marcus |
Ivan W. Allan |
Larry Yung Chi Kin |
1:47.6 |
|
1996 |
Che Sara Sara |
Michael Kinane |
David Oughton |
Paul Kan Man-Lok |
1:49.3 |
|
1995 |
Makarpura Star |
Tony Cruz |
John Moore |
Frank Wong Wing-Pak |
1:49.5 |
|
1994 |
Super Fit |
Gerald Mosse |
Lawrie Fownes |
Stanley Ho Sau Nan |
|
|
1993 |
Helene Star |
Eric Legrix |
Patrick L. Biancone |
Mr & Mrs Woo Po Shing et al. |
|
|
1992 |
Sound Print |
Michael Kinane |
Brian Kan Ping-chee |
Edmund Tam Wing Fan |
|
|
1991 |
River Verdon |
John Matthias |
David Hill |
Sir Oswald Cheung & The Hon Ronald Arculli |
|
|
1990 |
Reliable Source |
Maurice Philipperon |
Peter B. K. Ng |
Charles Lui Chi Keung |
|
|
1989 |
William’s Coach |
Bart Leisher |
Brian Kan Ping-chee |
Ma Hay Yan |
|
|
1988 |
Clear City |
Tony Cruz |
P. M. Chu |
||
|
1987 |
Tea For Two II |
Tony Cruz |
C. L. Ng |
||
|
1986 |
Yuno When |
C. M. Cheng |
Brian Kan Ping-chee |
||
|
1985 |
Superior Gold |
Brian Rouse |
Brian Kan Ping-chee |
||
|
1984 |
Baby Tiger |
Philippe Paquet |
T. C. Cheng |
||
|
1983 |
Co-Tack |
Tony Cruz |
T. P. Wong |
|
