2008 Hong Kong Cup

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Sponsored by Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong Cup is a Group One race for three-year-olds and older. It is run in mid-December and contested over 2000 meters on Sha Tin Racecourse’s turf track. The Hong Kong Cup’s purse is HK$20,000,000 (approximately US$2,600,000).

Flying Dancer was the winner of the inaugural Hong Kong Invitation cup, which was run in January, 1988. The race was limited to horses from Malaysia and Singapore.

Horses from Australia and New Zealand were added in 1989. In 1990 horses from Europe were admitted and those from the United States became eligible in 1991. Canadian and Japanese trained horses were added in 1992.

In 1990 the race was moved to mid December, except for 1992 when the race was run in April, 1993, because of a equine virus which forced temporary suspension of racing in Hong Kong.

Vengeance of Rain, with Anthony Delpech up and trained by David Ferraris, won the 2005 cup. The four-year-old toured the 2000 meters in 2.04.5.

Other recent winners include: Alexander Goldrun, 2004; Falbrav, 2003; Precision, 2002; Agnes Digital, 2001; Fantastic Light, 2000; Jim and Tonic, 1999; Midnight Bet, 1998; Val’s Prince, 1997; First Island, 1996; and Fujiyama Kenzan, the oldest winner at seven, 1995.

Two jockeys have won the Hong Kong Cup twice. Gerald Mosse guided River Verdon to victory in 1991 and Jim and Tonic in 1999. Frankie Dettori was aboard Fantastic Light in 2000 and Falbrav in 2003.

Other Group One races held during the International Race Day are the Hong Kong Mile, 1600 meters; the Hong Kong Vase, 2400 meters; and the Hong Kong Sprint, 1200 meters. The total purse for all four races is HK$62,000,000 (US$7,980,000).

Past winners of the Hong Kong Cup:

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