Hong Kong Racing

Hong Kong is home to some of the best racing in the world. The quality of racing and prize money ensure the top-class races in Hong Kong attracted the strongest international competition.

Happy Valley and Sha Tin are the only two racecourses in Hong Kong which will host 88 race meetings in the 2022/23 season and are operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Happy Valley has been in operation since 1845, while Sha Tin opened in 1978.

The HKJC was founded in 1884 and are a non-profit organization providing not only horse racing but sports betting (international soccer) and lotteries. They have a government-granted monopoly on pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, which ensures they are Hong Kong’s biggest taxpayer.

Betting is a huge part of the culture and horse racing in Hong Kong with the millions of dollars generated distributed back into the community.

Unlike other countries, Hong Kong does not have any studs or a breeding industry. However, given the prize money structure they can attract a high calibre of owners, trainers, and jockeys.

They boast some great local trainers headed by Frankie Lor who took out the 2021/22 Trainers’ Premiership with Aussie John Size finishing second.

International jockeys have a great track-record of success in Hong Kong with Australian Zac Purton taking out the 2021/22 Jockeys’ Premiership beating Brazilian Joao Moreira.

The biggest name in racing in Hong Kong is the Francis Lui-trained Golden Sixty who took out the top award of 2021/22 Horse of the Year. His record stands at 17 wins from 18 starts with his last four victories all at Group 1 level.

Hong Kong Racecourses

Happy Valley in the city plays host to meetings which are predominately held on Wednesday nights.

Sha Tin is a bigger racecourse which hosts meetings predominately on Sunday afternoon’s and is home to all 12 Group 1 races.

The Hong Kong racing season runs from September through until June/July. Field sizes are capped at 14.

Hong Kong Racing at Happy Valley

Track	Happy Valley
Circumference	1450 metres
Straight length	310 metres
Track width	30.5 metres
Direction	Clockwise
Distances	1000m, 1200m, 1650, 1800m, 2200m
Address	2 Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island

Happy Valley opened in 1845 and is situated on Hong Kong Island in the Wan Chait district set amongst a spectacular backdrop of high-rise buildings. Under lights at night, it is a phenomenal sight as punters fill the track creating an electric atmosphere.

It predominantly hosts meetings on Wednesday night starting from approximately 7pm local time. The racecourse can accommodate up to 55,000 guests featuring a seven-story building overlooking the track.

The highlight on the calendar is the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship on December 8.

The track itself is a tight circuit with a short straight of 310 metres which can favour inside and on-pace runners. The track uses four courses which are: A, B, C and C+3. The A course is the fairest and provides runners with the widest surface.

Hong Kong Racing at Sha Tin

Track	Sha Tin
Circumference	1900 metres
Straight length	430 metres
Track width	30.5 metres
Direction	Clockwise
Distances	1000m, 1200m, 1400m, 1600m, 1800m, 2000m, 2200m, 2400m
Address	The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse Stand, Sha Tin, New Territories.

Sha Tin racecourse is located approximately 18 kilometres from the Hong Kong CBD in New Territories and opened in 1978.

The turf track is oval shaped and has plenty of room with a long straight of straight of 430 metres, giving every runner an even chance. There is usually little track bias at Sha Tin, and it is regarded as one of the best surfaces in the world.

Sha Tin is the home to all Group 1 racing in Hong Kong, hosting all 12 features on the calendar and will host 48 meetings in the 2022/23 season. It is a world-class venue which can accommodate up to 85,000 guests providing an exceptional experience for participants and spectators.

The racecourse has two grandstands with the layout providing a broad and spectacular viewing experience for guests on track.

Sha Tin’s most popular day for racing is Sunday afternoon which will see punters gather to bet on 35 Sunday meetings in the 2022/23 season. The highlight on the calendar is Longines HKIR on December 11.

Hong Kong Key Race Meetings

Longines Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship (Happy Valley) – Dec 7, 2022

Some of the best jockeys in the world gather at Happy Valley to contest the Longines Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship in a spectacular night which is the racecourse’s biggest meeting of the year.

Certain races make up part of the challenge with jockeys accumulating points on those races. The winner is presented with a time piece from the sponsor Longines, the official watch of the event. Zac Purton took it out for the second time in 2020.

Longines Hong Kong International Races (Sha Tin) – December 11, 2022

The Longines HKIR meeting is a highlight on the world racing calendar. Featuring four Group 1 races with a total prize money of HK$100 million attracting the best horses from around the globe.

It is known as the “world turf championships” with a huge crowd descending on Sha Tin for an electric afternoon of racing.

The four Group 1 races include: Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m), Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), and the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Hong Kong Classic Mile / Stewards’ Cup (Sha Tin) – January 29, 2023

The Group 1 race on the day are supported by the Hong Kong Classic for four-year-olds, which is the first leg of the 4YO series.

The Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) attracts the best of the middle-distance horses and is the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Centenery Sprint Cup  (Sha Tin) – February 5, 2023

The Group 1 Centenary Sprint (1200m) is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series

Citi HK Gold Cup / Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (Sha Tin) – February 26, 2023

The two Group 1 races on the program are bolstered by the Hong King Classic for four-year-olds. The top three in the 4YO Classic earn themselves a start in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

The Citi Hong Kong Cup is the second leg of the the much sought after Triple Crown. 

Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup  / BMW HK Derby (Sha Tin) – March 19, 2023

The BMW Hong Kong Derby for four-year-olds is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar. It is the highlight on the program in a huge day at Sha Tin, which is the last leg of the 4YO Series.

The other Group 1 on the day is the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), which is the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

FWD Champions Day (Sha Tin) – April 30, 2023

Champions Day is arguably the biggest and most exciting day of racing outside of HKIR. Three Group 1 races ensure a fantastic day of racing with these races making up HK$65 million in prizemoney.

The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (worth HK$25 million) is one of the focal points along with the Chairmans’ Sprint Prize and Champions Mile. The Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize is the final leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (Sha Tin) – May 28, 2023

This meeting at Sha Tin features the final Group 1 race of the season, the Standard Charted Champions & Chater Cup. It is the only Group 1 race on the program and the final leg of the Triple Crown.

There is a HK $5,000,000 bonus to the owner of any horse who wins all three races of the Triple Crown. River Verdon remains the only horse to do so in 1994. The Group 3 Sha Tin Vase is the supporting race on the program.

Feature Races in Hong Kong – Season 2022/23

Race	Track	Class	Prizemoney (HK)	Distance	When	Age
Longines Hong Kong Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$30,000,000	2000m	Dec 11, 2022	3yo+
Longines Hong Kong Mile	Sha Tin	Group 1	$26,000,000	1600m	Dec 11, 2022	3yo+
Longines Hong Kong Sprint	Sha Tin	Group 1	$24,000,000	1200m	Dec 11, 2022	3yo+
Longines Hong Kong Vase	Sha Tin	Group 1	$20,000,000	2400m	Dec 11, 2022	3yo+
Stewards’ Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$12,000,000	1600m	Jan 29, 2023	3yo+
Hong Kong Classic Mile	Sha Tin	-	$12,000,000	1600m	Jan 29, 2023	4yo
Centenary Sprint Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$12,000,000	1200m	Feb 5, 2023	3yo+
Hong Kong Gold Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$12,000,000	2000m	Feb 26, 2023	3yo+
Hong Kong Classic Cup	Sha Tin	-	$12,000,000	1800m	Feb 26, 2023	4yo
Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$12,000,000	1400m	Mar 19, 2023	3yo+
BMW Hong Kong Derby	Sha Tin	-	$24,000,000	2000m	Mar 19, 2023	4yo
FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$25,000,000	2000m	Apr 30, 2022	3yo+
FWD Champion’s Mile	Sha Tin	Group 1	$20,000,000	1600m	Apr 30, 2022	3yo+
Chairman’s Sprint Prize	Sha Tin	Group 1	$20,000,000	1200m	Apr 30, 2022	3yo+
Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup	Sha Tin	Group 1	$12,000,000	2400m	May 28, 2022	3yo+

Note: Prize money is for the 2021/22 season

Hong Kong Racing Prize Money

Hong Kong racing offers some of the best prize money in the world. For the 2021/22 racing season the Hong Kong Jockey Club has announced record prize money of HK$1.46 billion.

The richest meeting, Longines HKIR in mid-December, will see the four Group 1 races worth a combined total of $100 million.

This is headlined by the Longines Hong Kong Cup worth a staggering HK$30 million, the richest race on the calendar and the richest Group 1 on turf in the world.

The increases announced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club on July 16, 2021, mean Hong Kong claims the richest Group 1 races over 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and 2000m on turf in the world.

The four Group 1 races on Longines HKIR offer a combined total of HK $100 million in prize money:

• Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) – HK $30 million (up from HK $28 million)
• Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) – HK $26 million (up from HK $24 million)
• Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) – HK $24 million (up from HK $22 million)
• Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) – HK $20 million (unchanged)

Outside of Longines HKIR, the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) run on February 20, 2022, at Sha Tin is worth HK$12 million, the richest G1 on turf in the world over 1400 metres.

The Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) run on FWD Champions Day on April 24, 2022, at Sha Tin is worth HK$20 million and is the second richest G1 race on turf over 1200 metres.

Prize money has also been increased outside of the Group 1 races with large increases across the board for the 2021/22 season.

Group 2 and Group 3 races have been raised by HK$250,000 and HK$200,000, respectively. Races in Classes 1 to 5 have been increased by between 4 per cent and 9 per cent.

Australians in Hong Kong Racing

Zac Purton (jockey)

Star jockey Zac Purton moved to Hong Kong in September 2007 after starting his career as an apprentice in Brisbane where he won the 2003 premiership.

He has won the Hong Kong Jockeys’ Premiership on four occasions (2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20). His first came in 2013/14 which saw him put an end to champion jockey Douglas Whyte’s 13-year streak.

His third title came in 2018/19 when he finished with 168 winners and reached 1000 winners and became only the second jockey to reach the milestone.

In 2020 Purton rode Exultant to victory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup making him the first ever jockey to win every Group 1 race on the Hong Kong racing calendar.

He finished the 2020/21 season second with 125 victories behind Brazilian Joao ‘Magic Man’ Moreira and amassed HK$173,768,000 in total stakes prize money.

Chad Schofield

Chad Schofield spent four years (2002-2006) of his youth living in Hong Kong where his father, the South African jockey Glyn Schofield, was contracted to ride.

His family relocated to Australia and Schofield commenced his own riding career in Sydney back in 2010. Schofield quickly established himself as one of the country’s most promising young riders, winning apprentice titles in both Sydney and Melbourne.

As a senior rider, Schofield continued to improve, claiming a number of Group 1s and other feature race victories.

He moved to Hong Kong for the 2015/2016 season and rode his first winner on September 7th, 2015 aboard Strathmore.

Schofield tallied 43 wins during the 2019/20 season which is his best result in Hong Kong. His biggest win was aboard Singapore Sling in the HK Classic Cup.

John Size (trainer)

Successful Sydney trainer John Size moved to Hong Kong in 2001. He tasted immediate success claiming the Trainers’ Premiership in his first season (2001/02).

He has been one of the most successful trainers winning the Trainer’s Premiership 11 times. When he won his ninth Premiership in 2016/17, he set a record for most wins by a trainer in a season with 94.

His 11th title in 2018/19 went down to the wire beating fellow Australian, John Moore, on the final day of the season.

His most recent success has been with four-time Group 1 winner Beat The Clock who has been retired due to injury.

Beat The Clock’s Group 1 victories came in the 2019 and 2020 Centenary Sprint Cup, 2019 The Chairman’s Sprint Prize and 2019 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Size was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2018.

David Hall (trainer)

Starting his training career in Adelaide, Hall moved to Melbourne where he trained Makybe Diva to her first Melbourne Cup victory in 2003.

Hall moved to Hong Kong for the 2004/05 season where he has been ever since. His most successful galloper has been Absolute Champion who won three Group 1 races under his care in the 2006 Hong Kong Sprint, 2007 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and 2008 Centenary Sprint Cup with Aussie jockey Brett Prebble in the saddle.

David Hayes (trainer)

Following in his legendary father’s footsteps, Colin Hayes, started training in 1990. He tasted early success with Better Loosen Up winning the 1990 Cox Plate and Japan Cup.

He trained 31 Group 1 winners before moving to Hong Kong in 1996.

This would be his first stint in Hong Kong in which lasted 10 seasons, with Hayes claiming the Trainers’ Premiership twice (1997/98, 1998/99).

His most notable victories would be the 2002 G1 Hong Kong Sprint with All Thrills Too and the 2003 Hong Kong Derby with Elegant Fashion.

Hayes returned to Australia in 2005 and became the youngest ever trainer inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. In July 2020 Hayes returned to Hong Kong becoming the first ever trainer to have a second stint in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Racing Calendar 2022/23 Season

Summary of racing fixtures: Total – 88 meetings

Sha Tin – 48 meetings

Sunday afternoon 35
Saturday afternoon 9
Wednesday night 3
Tuesday afternoon 1

Happy Valley – 40 meetings

Wednesday night 38
Sunday afternoon 1
Thursday night 1

Date	Day	Day/Night	Track	Feature / Public Holiday
11 Sep	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
14 Sep	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
18 Sep	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
21 Sep	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
25 Sep	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
28 Sep	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
1 Oct	Sat	Day	Sha Tin	Public Holiday - National Day
5 Oct	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
9 Oct	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
12 Oct	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
16 Oct	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
19 Oct	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
23 Oct	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
26 Oct	Wed	Night	Sha Tin
30 Oct	Sun	Day	Happy Valley
2 Nov	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
6 Nov	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
9 Nov	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
12 Nov	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
16 Nov	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
20 Nov	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
23 Nov	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
27 Nov	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
30 Nov	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
4 Dec	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
7 Dec	Wed	Night	Happy Valley	Longines International Jockeys Championship
11 Dec	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	Longines HKIR
14 Dec	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
18 Dec	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
21 Dec	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
24 Dec	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
28 Dec	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
1 Jan	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
4 Jan	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
8 Jan	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
11 Jan	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
15 Jan	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
18 Jan	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
21 Jan	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
24 Jan	Tues	Day	Sha Tin
29 Jan	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	Hong Kong Classic Mile / Stewards’ Cup
1 Feb	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
5 Feb	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	Centenary Sprint Cup
8 Feb	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
12 Feb	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
15 Feb	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
19 Feb	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
22 Feb	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
26 Feb	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	Hong Kong Gold Cup / Hong Kong Classic Cup
1 Mar	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
5 Mar	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
8 Mar	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
11 Mar	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
16 Mar	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
19 Mar	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	BMW HK Derby / Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
22 Mar	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
26 Mar	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
29 Mar	Wed	Night	Sha Tin
2 Apr	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
6 Apr	Thur	Night	Happy Valley	Easter Thursday
9 Apr	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
12 Apr	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
15 Apr	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
19 Apr	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
23 Apr	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
26 Apr	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
30 Apr	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	FWD Champions Day
3 May	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
7 May	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
10 May	Wed	Night	Sha Tin
13 May	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
17 May	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
21 May	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
24 May	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
28 May	Sun	Day	Sha Tin	Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup
31 May	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
4 Jun	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
7 Jun	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
10 Jun	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
14 Jun	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
18 Jun	Sun	Day	Sha Tain
25 Jun	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
28 Jun	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
1 Jul	Sat	Day	Sha Tin
5 Jul	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
9 Jul	Sun	Day	Sha Tin
12 Jul	Wed	Night	Happy Valley
16 Jul	Sun	Day	Sha Tin

Hong Kong Racing Q&As

When does Hong Kong racing start?

The 2022/23 Hong Kong racing season starts on Sunday September 11, 2022, at Sha Tin.

When is the Hong Kong racing season?

The racing season runs from September until July.

What days do they race in Hong Kong?

Predominately Wednesday night at Happy Valley (38 meetings) and Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin (35 meetings). There are another 18 meetings run on other days.

Where is racing held in Hong Kong?

Race meetings are held at Sha Tin and Happy Valley in Hong Kong.

What is the highest class race in Hong Kong?

The highest class race in Hong Kong is a Group 1.

How many Group 1 races are run in Hong Kong?

There are 12 Group 1 races on the Hong Kong racing calendar each season.

What is the richest race in Hong Kong?

The richest race in Hong Kong is the Longines Hong Kong Cup worth HK$30 million run in mid-December on HKIR.

Do Australian trained horses run in Hong Kong?

Australian-trained horses compete in Hong Kong with the Longines Hong Kong International races (HKIR) in mid-December the most popular meeting with International runners given the prizemoney on offer.

Is the Hong Kong Derby a Group 1?

The Hong Kong Derby for 4YOs is not a Group 1 race. The three premier races which make up the 4YO series (HK Classic Mile, HK Classic Cup, BMW HK Derby) are not graded as Group 1 races.

How do I bet on Hong Kong racing?

Australian punters can bet on Hong Kong races with TAB.