With only two weeks until the running of the 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), anticipation and excitement are quickly building ahead of the 149th running of the race of once-in-a-lifetime glory at Sha Tin on 22 March.
The aspiration of competing in – and winning – the city’s most prestigious race burns brightly for owners, trainers and jockeys who covet the ultimate Classic Generation success as they seek to follow the pathway of contemporary champions such as ROMANTIC WARRIOR, GOLDEN SIXTY and VOYAGE BUBBLE.
While LITTLE PARADISE, who brilliantly won the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), and STORMY GROVE, who was similarly impressive with Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) success, are among the leading contenders for the BMW Hong Kong Derby, the broad consensus is that this year’s blue riband staying contest is wide open.
Horses such as INVINCIBLE IBIS, NUMBERS, PATCH OF COSMO, TOP DRAGON and DAZZLING FIT are also among a quality group of potential winning candidates, while several other horses have undeniable claims, adding further intrigue to the build up to the race.
LITTLE PARADISE (103) is the highest-rated four-year-old entered for the BMW Hong Kong Derby from NUMBERS (100), STORMY GROVE (98), SAGACIOUS LIFE (97), INVINCIBLE IBIS (94), INFINITE RESOLVE (89), PATCH OF COSMO (89), BEAUTY BOLT (88), EMBLAZON (88), TOP DRAGON (87), REGAL GEM (85), JUNEAU PRIDE (81), CIRCUIT GRAND SLAM (80), DAZZLING FIT (80), while SERAPH GABRIEL (79) is currently rated the 14th-highest of the group.
At Sha Tin today (Sunday, 8 March), several other BMW Hong Kong Derby aspirants will attempt to advance their Derby selection credentials including FORTUNE BOY (71), who contests the Class 2 Devon Handicap (1800m) – which is carded as Race 7 at 3.35pm – against established older horses.
GLITTERING LEGEND (76) and NATURAL NUMBERS (73) feature in the Class 3 Kowloon Tong Club Trophy Handicap (1600m), which is carded as Race 9 at 4.35pm, against several other Derby-nominated horses, while SUPER EXPRESS (76) runs in the Class 3 Cumberland Handicap, which is carded as Race 11 and will be run over 1400m at 5.45pm.
The competition for BMW Hong Kong Derby remains incredibly intense and serves as a reminder of the importance of this wonderful race to our city. I wish all connections the very best of luck.
Another competitive highlight of Hong Kong’s world-class racing today is the Class 1 Essex Handicap, which is carded as Race 10 and will be run over 1200m at 5.10pm for prizemoney of HK$3.72 million.
The speed in the race will be good with BEAUTY WAVES and STELLAR EXPRESS going forward from wide draws in search of the lead. SKY TRUST and VICTOR THE WINNER will hold forward positions from inside gates.
FAST NETWORK won the G3 National Day Cup Handicap over the straight 1000m course on 1 October and has since been placed at Group One level at his past two starts. He was third to KA YING RISING and RAGING BLIZZARD in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and again third to KA YING RISING and HELIOS EXPRESS in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 25 January.
FAST NETWORK has been in Conghua since and drops in class but carries top weight of 135lb. Zac Purton takes the ride and will have him in a striking position just behind the leaders from his inside gate. FAST NETWORK is a win and place chance.
INVINCIBLE SHIELD settled just behind the leaders when a narrow winner over YOUNG CHAMPION over this course and distance on 25 January and then was narrowly beaten in a driving finish on 14 February by SKY TRUST, giving that horse significant weight. Vincent Ho takes the ride, and INVINCIBLE SHIELD is a place chance.
SKY TRUST fought hard to beat INVINCIBLE SHIELD and with a light weight and drawn well in gate four is a place chance for Ellis Wong despite rising in class.
BEAUTY WAVES returned to his best form when winning over 1200m at Happy Valley on 4 February, beating YOUNG CHAMPION and BRAVE STAR. BEAUTY WAVES has been in Conghua since and looked good winning a trial there recently from WUNDERBAR and FAST NETWORK. He is a place chance for Alexis Badel.
STELLAR EXPRESS has been in dominant form down the straight 1000m course winning his past three runs in quick time. STELLAR EXPRESS has a challenge to overcome, extending to 1200m and with the widest gate, but can run well again for Andrea Atzeni.
PATCH OF THETA (Hugh Bowman) and STORM RIDER (Karis Teetan) are both recent winners and will be competitive in a very strong race where there are several runners with chances.
The pursuit of equine veterinary excellence sits at the heart of the Club’s core values, and I would like to congratulate Doctor Chris Riggs on winning the Sir Colin Spedding Award for his outstanding contribution to equine welfare.
Chris’s devotion to equine veterinary science and his passion to permanently improve equine veterinary care with a special focus on the Chinese Mainland is exemplary and international recognition via this award is well deserved.
I would like to thank Chris for his outstanding contribution to the sport we love.
It was a pleasure to attend the ‘Ponies on Parade’ at Tai Kwun’s Parade Ground on Saturday (7 March) as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse celebrations.
Supported by the Club, ‘Ponies on Parade’ allows families, horse lovers and visitors to connect with Shetland ponies in one of Hong Kong’s most iconic venues.
‘Ponies on Parade’ will continue today (8 March) and next Sunday (15 March), from 11am-3pm each day, and it is a fabulous opportunity for adults and children to experience close-up encounters with these beautiful animals.
The Club has worked tirelessly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to not only preserve the former Central Police Station compound but also to inject a new purpose to transform Tai Kwun into a public space.
Now a UNESCO-awarded Heritage Project, Tai Kwun has become a centre for the arts and heritage which people from all walks of life can enjoy.
It has become a major attraction for tourists and has now recorded more than 26 million visitors, which is very gratifying to see after having spend a lot of time personally on the project from the concept development in 2008 to the completion of the project with the opening in 2018.
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