Hong Kong Sprint Race Information

The Hong Kong Sprint is one of the four Group 1 Hong Kong International Races, which is billed as one of the biggest racing events in Asia.

  • Race Type: Group 1
  • Distance: 1200 metres
  • Conditions: 3YO & upwards
  • Track: Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong
  • Prizemoney: HK$26,000,000
  • Date: Sunday 8 December 2024

The Hong Kong Sprint is a Group 1 race for three-year-olds and older. It is run in mid-December and contested over 1200 metres on Sha Tin Racecourse’s turf track. The Hong Kong Sprint’s purse is HK$26,000,000

Hong Kong Sprint Race History

The race was first held on 12 December 1999 over 1000m and was won by a horse called Fairy King Prawn. It was held as a Group 3 race in 2000, a Group 2 race in 2001 and then was upgraded to a Group 1 in 2002.The distance was increased to 1200m in 2006.

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 Mile (1600m). The total purse for all four races is HK$118,000,000..

Useful Facts

Last 3YO to win: no 3YO has won

Multiple winners: Mr Stunning (2017 & 2018); Aerovelocity (2014 & 2016); Lord Kanaloa (2012 & 2013); Sacred Kingdom (2007 & 2009); Silent Witness (2003 & 2004); Falvelon (2000 & 2001).

Fastest time (1200m): Absolute Champion (2006) 1:07:80

Leading jockey: Two jockeys have won this race 3 times each. Zac Purton (2014, 2016 & 2023); Brett Prebble (2006, 2009 & 2011).

Leading trainers: Ricky Yui with 3 wins (1999, 2007 & 2009)

Interesting trivia: The oldest winner was Aerovelocity who was an 8YO when he won in 2014.

Past winners of the Hong Kong Sprint

Past winners include Silent Witness, Absolute Champion, Sacred Kingdom, Lucky Nine and Aerovelocity.

Year Winner Second Third
2023 Lucky Sweynesse Lucky With You Wellington
2022 Wellington Sight Success Sky Field
2021 Sky Field Resistencia Courier Wonder
2020 Danon Smash Jolly Banner Rattan
2019 Beat The Clock Hot King Prawn Aethero
2018 Mr Stunning D B Pin Beat The Clock
2017 Mr Stunning D B Pin Blizzard
2016 Aerovelocity Lucky Bubbles Peniaphobia
2015 Peniaphobia Gold Fun Not Listenin’tome
2014 Aerovelocity Peniaphobia Straight Girl
2013 Lord Kanaloa Sole Power Frederick Engels
2012 Lord Kanaloa Cerise Cherry Captain Sweet
2011 Lucky Nine Joy And Fun
Entrapment
 * dead heat 2nd
2010 J J The Jet Plane Rocket Man Sacred Kingdom
2009 Sacred Kingdom One World Joy And Fun
2008 Inspiration Green Birdie Apache Cat
2007 Sacred Kingdom Absolute Champion Royal Delight
2006 Absolute Champion Silent Witness Benbaun
2005 Natural Blitz Planet Ruler Able Prince
2004 Silent Witness Cape Of Good Hope Natural Blitz
2003 Silent Witness National Currency Cape Of Good Hope
2002 All Thrills Too Firebolt Falvelon
2001 Falvelon Morluc All Thrills Too
2000 Falvelon Morluc King Of Danes
1999 Fairy King Prawn Crystal Charm Big Jag