The moment of truth has finally arrived for 14 talented young stayers as they prepare to contest the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March) for the right to claim “once-in-a-lifetime glory” – an achievement which is amplified by the fact the 2026 Classic is being staged in the Year of the Horse.
Having a runner in the BMW Hong Kong Derby is an achievement in any season; to manage the feat in the Year of the Horse, when we celebrate the close bond between horse and human, is doubly meaningful and I congratulate the connections who are represented in Sunday’s race.
Opportunity and destiny will collide with lasting effects at Sha Tin on Sunday, as evidenced by a race honour roll which contains some of Hong Kong racing’s greatest names – ROMANTIC WARRIOR, GOLDEN SIXTY, VOYAGE BUBBLE, WERTHER, VENGEANCE OF RAIN, VIVA PATACA and AMBITIOUS DRAGON.
Another name will be added to that elite group on Sunday and, in the absence of an overwhelming favourite, a case can be made for virtually every runner. As is always the case, luck in running – especially in the short run from the 2000m start to the first turn out of the home straight – will be crucial.
With a history dating back to 1873, the BMW Hong Kong Derby will this season be contested by seven horses from Australia, three from New Zealand, two from Ireland, one from Great Britain and one from Brazil and features some of the finest bloodlines in the world.
BMW has been a tremendous supporter of the Derby since 2013, and I thank them for their fabulous on-going involvement, and I wish all of the owners, trainers and jockeys involved in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby the very best of luck.
Setting the scene for a memorable afternoon of world-class racing, popular singer MC Cheung will perform his iconic songs at the Opening Performance from 11.35am.
With admission open to public areas from 11am, attendees can scan a QR code upon entry for the chance to win amazing prizes, including a 999 gold bar set worth HK$100,000 as part of the Sha Tin Racecourse Delights: 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby Year of the Horse Golden Lucky Draw.
Each racegoer will receive a BMW Hong Kong Derby cap while stocks last.
The BMW Hong Kong Derby is carded as Race 7 at 4.05pm and is run over 2000m with prizemoney of HK$26 million, making it one of the richest Derbies in the world. It is a field of high-quality horses sourced by Hong Kong owners from around the globe.
The race always produces a competitive contest with the biggest winning margin in the past six years no greater than a neck and this year looks one of the most open in prospect.
The pace will be good with NUMBERS going forward from his gate 13 to lead. JUNEAU PRIDE (Keith Yeung) will be prominent, with EMBLAZON (Jerry Chau) and BEAUTY BOLT (Brenton Avdulla) also taking up positions in the leading group.
LITTLE PARADISE produced a devastating finishing burst to win the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February. In the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), he was in my opinion a little bit too fresh and had an awkward start and didn’t have a lot of room in the early part of the straight before running home to finish eighth. From gate 10, he could be at risk to be three-wide and Vincent Ho has to be at his best to find a good position behind midfield but, on his ability, he is in my view a win and place chance.
STORMY GROVE was impressive winning over 1600m on 14 February when he ran home strongly to beat WITHOUT COMPARE. He improved further when extending to 1800m in the Hong Kong Classic Cup when Harry Bentley took him back from a wide draw before making a sustained run to take the lead passing the 200m mark and comfortably holding off INVINCIBLE IBIS to win. Harry may have him slightly closer in running from gate seven and STORMY GROVE is a win and place chance.
NUMBERS beat older horses in the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) before Derek Leung took him forward from a wide draw in the Hong Kong Classic Cup to eventually lead down the back straight and, after being headed at the 150m, stayed on well to hold fourth. Derek will have to contend with a wide draw again, but NUMBERS has been placed at G1 level over 2400m in Australia and will run out a strong 2000m. He is a place chance.
INVINCIBLE IBIS went into the Hong Kong Classic Mile with a four-win streak but raced without luck in the straight, finishing sixth to LITTLE PARADISE. In the Hong Kong Classic Cup, INVINCIBLE IBIS made good ground late along the inside to finish second to STORMY GROVE. INVINCIBLE IBIS has drawn well again in gate three and Hugh Bowman will have him ready to strike on straightening and is a place chance.
There are several other horses who ran well in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, including PATCH OF COSMO, who was having his third run from a long break and hit the line well to finish third. He is a chance for Dylan Browne McMonagle along with TOP DRAGON (Andrea Atzeni), who has drawn gate one and was beaten only a short head in Class 2 over 1600m last start after finishing fifth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
EMBLAZON has been racing in devastating form this season, winning five of six races. His past three wins have been over 1400m, and he comes into the BMW Hong Kong Derby off a similar preparation to PING HAI STAR, who won in 2018 when extending from 1400m to 2000m for the first time. EMBLAZON is exceptionally talented and a win from him would not surprise.
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