# Hong Kong Derby

The Hong Kong Derby is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1873. Restricted to horses four-years-old only since 1981, the race is run in mid-March and is the premier event on the domestic racing programme with a purse of HK$18 million (app. US$2.3 million). This is the last race in the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
The first Hong Kong Derby was raced at Happy Valley Racecourse but in 1979 was transferred permanently to its present location at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Since 1981, the Derby has been won by several horses who went on to earn Hong Kong Horse of the Year honors including Football, Co-Tack, Yuno When and River Verdon. In 2003, Elegant Fashion became the first filly to win the Derby since 1976.
From 2004 to 2012, the race was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. It has been sponsored by BMW since 2013, and since then the Hong Kong actor and martial artist Donnie Yen has been appointed as the "BMW Hong Kong Derby Ambassador" for promoting the event and presenting the awards to the winning units.

## Race distance

The racing distance of the Hong Kong Derby has varied over the years. From 2000 to present, the distance has been 2000 metres, with the starting point in front of the Sha Tin grandstand. From 1977 to 1999, the race was held over 1800m. From 1973 to 1976, the distance was 2230m. From 1967 to 1972, the distance was "From The Two Mile Post Once Round & In" (1 mile 171 yards.) From 1963 to 1966, the distance was 1 1/4 mile. In 1961 & 1962, the distance was "From the Half Mile Post Once Round & In" (1 mile 3 furlongs 65 yards.) From 1947 to 1960, the distance was One and a Half mile**.

## Past winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
| 2024 | Massive Sovereign | Zac Purton | Dennis Yip Chor-hong | Chan Kam Hung | 1:59.85 |
| 2023 | Voyage Bubble | Alexis Badel | Ricky Yiu Poon-fai | Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate | 2:02.78 |
| 2022 | Romantic Warrior | Karis Teetan | Danny Shum Chap-shing | Peter Lau Pak Fai | 2:00.23 |
| 2021 | Sky Darci | João Moreira | Caspar Fownes | Jessica Kwan Mun Hang | 2:01.32 |
| 2020 | Golden Sixty † | Vincent Ho Chak-yiu | Francis Lui Kin-wai | Stanley Chan Ka Leung | 2:00.15 |
| 2019 | Furore | Hugh Bowman | Frankie Lor Fu-chuen | Lee Sheung Chau | 2:01.30 |
| 2018 | Ping Hai Star | Ryan Moore | John Size | Zeng Shengli | 2:01.18 |
| 2017 | Rapper Dragon † | João Moreira | John Moore | Albert Hung Chao Hong | 2:02.88 |
| 2016 | Werther | Hugh Bowman | John Moore | Johnson Chen | 2:01.76 |
| 2015 | Luger | Zac Purton | John Size | Terry Fok Kwong Hang | 2:01.28 |
| 2014 | Designs On Rome | Tommy Berry | John Moore | Cheng Keung Fai | 2:02.04 |
| 2013 | Akeed Mofeed * | Douglas Whyte | Richard Gibson | Pan Sutong | 2:01.84 |
| 2012 | Fay Fay | Douglas Whyte | John Size | Alexander Wong | 2:04.41 |
| 2011 | Ambitious Dragon | Maxime Guyon | Anthony T. Millard | Lam Pui Hung | 2:01.50 |
| 2010 | Super Satin | Douglas Whyte | Caspar Fownes | Ranjan Tikam Mahtani | 2:03.59 |
| 2009 | Collection | Darren Beadman | John Moore | 07/08 John Moore Trainer Syndicate | 2:02.50 |
| 2008 | Helene Mascot | Felix Coetzee | Tony Cruz | Dawson Woo Ka Chung, Wilson Woo Ka Wah et al. | 2:01.3 |
| 2007 | Vital King | Brett Prebble | Paul O'Sullivan | Chong Man-lung | 2:02.9 |
| 2006 | Viva Pataca | Christophe Soumillon | John Moore | Stanley Ho Hung-Sun | 2:04.6 |
| 2005 | Vengeance of Rain | Anthony Delpech | David E. Ferraris | Chow Nam & Raymond Gianco Chow Hon Man | 2:04.3 |
| 2004 | Lucky Owners * | Felix Coetzee | Tony Cruz | Leung Kai Fai | 2:02.6 |
| 2003 | Elegant Fashion ‡ | Gerald Mosse | David A. Hayes | Gene Tsoi Wai-wang | 2:03.6 |
| 2002 | Olympic Express | Weichong Marwing | Ivan Allan | Larry Yung Chi Kin | 2:05.1 |
| 2001 | Industrial Pioneer | Gerald Mosse | Brian Kan Ping-chee | Albert Hu Si Nok et al. | 2:03.1 |
| 2000 | Keen Winner | Robbie Fradd | Anthony T. Millard | Victor Lui Ting et al. | 2:03.3 |
| 1999 | Holy Grail | David Harrison | Ivan Allan | Mr & Mrs Michael C. Kwee | 1:47.1 |
| 1998 | Johan Cruyff * | Éric Legrix | Patrick L. Biancone | Thomas Liang Ting Sen | 1:47.7 |
| 1997 | Oriental Express | Basil Marcus | Ivan Allan | Larry Yung Chi Kin | 1:47.6 |
| 1996 | Che Sara Sara | Michael Kinane | David Oughton | Paul Kan Man-Lok | 1:49.3 |
| 1995 | Makarpura Star | Tony Cruz | John Moore | Frank Wong Wing-Pak | 1:49.5 |
| 1994 | Super Fit | Gerald Mosse | Lawrie Fownes | Stanley Ho Sau Nan et al. | 1:49.5 |
| 1993 | Helene Star | Éric Legrix | Patrick L. Biancone | Mr & Mrs Woo Po Shing et al. | 1:48.0 |
| 1992 | Sound Print | Michael Kinane | Brian Kan Ping-chee | Edmund Tam Wing Fan | 1:48.4 |
| 1991 | River Verdon | John Matthias | David Hill | Sir Oswald Cheung & The Hon Ronald Arculli | 1:48.1 |
| 1990 | Reliable Source | Maurice Philipperon | Peter Ng Bik Kuen | Charles Lui Chi Keung | 1:53.2 |
| 1989 | William's Coach | Bart Leisher | Brian Kan Ping-chee | Ma Hay Yan | 1:47.7 |
| 1988 | Clear City | Tony Cruz | Chu Po-ming | Leung Chiu-Lun & Ng Tse-Choy | 1:48.2 |
| 1987 | Tea For Two II | Tony Cruz | Ng Chi-lam | Lee Shing Fat | 1:49.1 |
| 1986 | Yuno When | Paul Cheng Chung-mou | Brian Kan Ping-chee | D. C. da Silva | 1:49.2 |
| 1985 | Superior Gold | Brian Rouse | Brian Kan Ping-chee | Joseph Lo Sze Kuen | 1:50.1 |
| 1984 | Baby Tiger | Philippe Paquet | Derek Cheng Tai-chee | Shih Yeh-Ming | 1:51.0 |
| 1983 | Co-Tack | Tony Cruz | Wong Tang-ping | Tsui Tack Kong & Tsui Tack Suen | 1:54.0 |
| 1982 | Football | Joe Mercer | Derek Cheng Tai-chee | Lau Yiu Chu | 1:49.8 |
| 1981 | Flash of Gold | Gary Moore | George Moore | Colin Chan Ken Pin | 1:47.6 |
| 1980 | Excalibur | Gary Moore | George Moore | Li & Fenton | 1:47.9 |
| 1979 | Great Success | David Brosnan | George Sofronoff | Leung Sik Wah | 1:47.5 |
| 1978 | Top Gain | Peter Miers | Tam Man Kui | Kaichu Jay | 1:53.3 |
| 1977 | Grand Duke | Pat Eddery | Chu Po-ming | Lee Pak Huen | 1:50.8 |
| 1976 | Corvette ‡ | Philippe Paquet | P. Supple | John Joseph Swaine | 2:24.6 |
| 1975 | Breathing Exercise | Pat Eddery | J. H. Brown | John C.P. Koo | 2:24.1 |
| 1974 | Throgmorton | Derek Cheng Tai-chee | N. Metrevelli | Wayfoong | 2:21.4 |
| 1973 | Kentucky Lad | G. Cadwaladr | J. H. Brown | T. C. Yuen | 2:24.3 |
| 1972 | Vivacious | Derek Cheng Tai-chee | George Sofronoff | Chan Wai Kam | 1:50.3 |
| 1971 | Gwynt-Teq | G. B. Collopy | D. Belov | R. Beynon | 1:52.1 |
| 1970 | Mount Superior | A. J. Silva | Lee Tin Lam | Dr. & Mrs. Yen Ching Lan | 1:50.4 |
| 1969 | Paddy | G. H. Williams | Tam Man Kui | D. Benson | 1:51 |
| 1968 | Excel | T. J. Hore | Lee Tin Lam | RV Louey & LE Louey | 1:51.4 |
| 1967 | Ascot | Alex Lam | Chong Hok Man | Ng Chung Kwan | 1:51.3 |
| 1966 | Tender Heart | T. Lam | Nick Metrevelli | Dr. R. A. Perry | 2:14 |
| 1965 | Lakh Mark | J. M. da Cruz | Nick Metrevelli | Kwong Wing Kam | 2:10.4 |
| 1964 | Czarina | Albert Lam | Cheung Hok Man | Chiu Keung Wu | 2:09.4 |
| 1963 | Big Game | G. H. William | M. Pereboeff | Lai Im Tong | 2:06.2 |
| 1962 | Liar Dice | R. Tsai | Lee Tim Lam | PVCE Libenschutz | |
| 1961 | Walbrook | R. Tsai | Nick Metrevelli | Wayfoong | |
| 1960 | Virtuous | T.H.Yau | Nick Metrevelli | Leung Tak Wa | |
| 1959 | Fascination | M. Samarcq | Wong Siu Hung | F K Pattinson & Hui Sai Fun | |
| 1958 | Genghis Khan | A. Lam | M. Pereboeff | Li Che Ho | |
| 1957 | Serbu | K. Kwok | E.K. Tokmakoff | Dr Leung Tin Sun & Partners | |
| 1956 | Balkan Monarch | Chun Kit | Nick Metrevelli | O.R. Sadrick | |
| 1949 | Golden Dahlia | Shieh | Lai Loi Fook | Kwan Fan-Fat & Partners | 2:43** |
| 1948 | Ataman | E.A. Brodie | N. Tiukavkin | Grebro | |
| 1947 | Norse Queen | A. Ostroumoff | | R. Johannessen | |
| 1946 | Race did not take place due to the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong |
| 1945 |
| 1944 |
| 1943 |
| 1942 |
| 1941 | Oolong | V.V. Needa | | TKL | |
| 1940 | Satinlight | R.B. Moller | G. Sofronoff | Cire | |
| 1939 | Rose Elect | C. Encarnacao | | Eu Tong Sen | |
| 1938 | Silkylight | R.B. Moller | | Cire | |
| 1937 | Happy Eve | V.V. Needa | | Eve | |
| 1936 | Honeymoon Eve | V.V. Needa | | Eve | |
| 1935 | Herod | W.H.S Davis | | Hem | |
| 1934 | Hydroplane | B.A. Proulx | | Plane | |
| 1933 | Trentbridge | V.V. Needa | | Mrs Pearce | |
| 1932 | Liberty Bay | W. Hill | | L. Dunbar | |
| 1931 | King's Service | Y.S. Chang | | Dynasty | |
| 1930 | Diana Bay | W. Hill | | L. Dunbar | |
| 1929 | President Hall | C. Encarnacao | | Ho Kom Tong | |
| 1928 | Sitting Bull | H. Maitland | | Mrs E.L. Dunbar | |
| 1927 | Elliot Bay | Dallas | | L. Dunbar | |
| 1926 | Glorious Dahlia | McBain | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1923 | Ideal Dahlia | Soares | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1916 | Winsome Dahlia | Burkill | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1915 | Perfection Dahlia | Vida | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1914 | Jewel Aster | Brand | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1912 | White Hawthorn | Burkill | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1911 | Coronation Rose | Burkill | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1910 | Royal Rose | Burkill | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1909 | Little Gem Rose | Burkill | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1907 | Spring Rose | Master | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1906 | Triumph Rose | Hayes | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1904 | Coronet Rose | W Cox | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1899 | Wild Rose | Wuillenmuir | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1895 | Black Velvet | Pond | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1889 | Pao Shing | Burkill | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1886 | Marauder | Pond | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1885 | Fun | Pond | | Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody | |
| 1884 | Rappahannock | Pond | | Sir Paul Chater | |
| 1878 | White Velvet | Lewis | | Sir Paul Chater | |
† designates a Triple Crown Winner of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
‡ designates a filly.
* designates a colt (non-gelding).