1. Race overview
2. Japanese Entries
3. Racecourse Feature
4. Past Winners
5. Past Japanese Runners
6. 2024 Hong Kong Cup Latest Information

Race overview

The Hong Kong Cup is a horse race held at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong, classified as an international G1 event. It serves as the main race in the Hong Kong International Races, which consists of four G1 races. The total prize money for the Hong Kong Cup is 34 million Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to approximately 500 million yen, making it one of the highest-paying races held locally.

Established in 1988, it was the first international race in Hong Kong. Initially called the Hong Kong Invitational Cup, it was held as Hong Kong's first G3 race in 1993 and was upgraded to G1 status in 1999 when the distance changed from 1800 meters to the current 2000 meters on turf.

Before achieving international G1 status, two Japanese horses, Fujiyama Kenzan and Midnight Bet, claimed victory. Since the race has been classified as G1, six Japanese horses have won: Agnes Digital, A Shin Hikari, Maurice, Win Bright, Normcore, and Loves Only You. Notably, Fujiyama Kenzan's win in the Hong Kong Invitational Cup marked the first overseas graded stakes victory for a Japanese-trained horse in 36 years since Haku Chikara.

Japanese Entries

Racecourse Feature

At a distance of 1899 meters, the race begins approximately 100 meters before the finish line. There are only about 170 meters to the first corner, making wide draws highly disadvantageous. Horses with inside draws and forward running styles have an advantage, but a poor break can leave them trapped on the outside, a potentially race-ending scenario. Consequently, the contest for early positions is often intense, and the overall race tempo is heavily influenced by the pace through the first and second corners and the start of the backstretch. The record time for this race is 1:58.81, set by Japanese runner Win Bright.

Past Winners

Past Japanese Runners

2024 Hong Kong Cup Latest Information