The race was first held on 15 December 1991 over 1400m as the Hong Kong International Bowl and was won by a horse called Additional Risk. The distance was increased to 1600m in 1999 and it was renamed the Hong Kong Mile. In December 1993 it became a Group 3 race and in 1995 it became a Group 2. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 2000 and was won by Sunline that year.

Other Group One races held during the International Race Day are the Hong Kong Cup (2000m), the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and the Hong Kong Sprint (1200 m). The total purse for all four races is HK$118,000,000..

Last 3YO to win: Admire Mars (2019)

Multiple winners: Golden Sixty (2020, 2021 & 2023); Beauty Generation (2016 & 2017); Good Ba Ba (2007, 2008 & 2009); Monopolize (1995 & 1996).

Fastest time (2400m): Good Ba Ba (2008) 1:32:71

Leading jockey: Three jockeys have won this race 3 times each. Vincent Ho Chak-yiu  (2020, 2021 & 2023); Zac Purton (2012, 2016 & 2018); Olivier Doleuze (2006,2007 & 2009).

Leading trainers: John Moore with 4 wins (Beauty Generation 2018; Beauty Generation 2017; Able Friend 2014:  Able One 2011)

Interesting trivia: The oldest winner was Able One who was a 9YO when he won in 2011.

Past winners include dual Cox Plate winner Sunline where she took on local champion Fairy King Prawn where the  “horse of Hong Kong came after the mare of the world”.