Hong Kong International Races: Here’s What You Need to Know

The Hong Kong International Races is the largest annual international sporting event in Hongkong. The four race extravaganza is taking place at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday.

Horse racing is popular in Hong Kong. General admission to all race days is $1.25. The Hong Hongkong International Races are held at Happy Valley, founded in 1846. Sha Tin is the younger track established in 1978.

The Hong Kong International Races is one of the biggest days of horse racing in the world. The Hongkong Police Band will lead the opening ceremony. Eddie Peng is a Canadian and Taiwanese actor, singer and model.

The Hong Kong International Races started in January 1988. The first race was won by Flying Dancer for the home team. It was open to entries from Hongkong, Malaysia and Singapore. In 1989, Australia and New Zealand were allowed in the Cup. By 1993, the race opened to all comers and in 1999 it was given international Group 1 status.

The Hong Kong Cup is the headline race of the event. Three other races have been added to the competition since 1991. The Hongkong Mile was first held in 1991 and it gained international Group 1 status in 1999. Hong kong vase was added in 1994 and in 2000 it got its Group1 status.

This is the 31st Hong Kong International Races. There have been nearly 1,250 horses from 17 countries/regions taking part over the last three decades. France has produced more winners in the Hongkong International races than any other overseas jurisdiction. The United Kingdom and Japan are a joint second with 12 wins each. HongKong runners have won 37 times.