The BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) is always one of the most anticipated contests of the season and, with wonderful performances from INVINCIBLE IBIS, Mark Newnham and Hugh Bowman, Hong Kong’s most coveted race duly lived up to expectations on Sunday (22 March).
Clocking the fastest time in the history of the long and distinguished race of “once-in-a-lifetime glory” with a searing gallop of 1m 59.43s, INVINCIBLE IBIS proved his superiority in the most emphatic fashion before a BMW Hong Kong Derby record crowd of 72,528, which included 11,620 overseas visitors – which is also a Derby record.
With a final 400m sectional of 22.89s from a perfect striking position in midfield, Hugh took luck out of the equation with INVINCIBLE IBIS, who relished the strong tempo set by the brave runner-up NUMBERS (23.61s), who showed tremendous fight after setting fast midrace sectionals while STORMY GROVE produced the fastest closing split of 22.71s to finish third.
While LITTLE PARADISE was caught wide and ultimately disappointed in finishing ninth, beaten five lengths, the race itself was one of the best BMW Hong Kong Derbies which unfurled amid a fantastic atmosphere as a true staying test.
The Opening Performance by MC Cheung was certainly energetic and created a positive vibe which continued throughout the day, while the presence of BMW Hong Kong Derby ambassador Mr Donnie Yen added another element of excitement.
I congratulate the Ibis Syndicate, who have been great supporters of Hong Kong’s world-class horse racing, for the victory and wish the owners all the best for the future.
Looking ahead, the quality of the 2026 Classic generation certainly bodes well for the future, and it will be interesting to see which races the leading trio in the BMW Hong Kong Derby might contest at FWD Champions Day on 26 April.
NUMBERS has proved he is a genuine stayer and, based on what he has shown this season, he is extremely competitive at 2000m but also gives the impression he would be well suited in a race such as the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on 24 May.
Given the momentous nature of INVINCIBLE IBIS’s accomplishment and the overall quality of the 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby, it is fitting that prizemoney for the Four-Year-Old Series will rise by HK$4 million with an overall purse of HK$56 million in 2027 when we stage the 150th BMW Hong Kong Derby.
The 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – previously run for HK$13 million – will now be worth HK$14 million, an increase of HK$1 million to each, while the BMW Hong Kong Derby will carry a record HK$28 million next season.
The BMW Hong Kong Derby is already one of the richest Derbies in the world and these prizemoney enhancements underline the Club’s commitment to helping our owners secure the best opportunities as they seek returns on investments for the high-quality horses they source from around the world against increasing competition.
Another extremely pleasing aspect of BMW Hong Kong Derby Day was the performances of several talented three-year-olds, including HOT DELIGHT, MEGA MASTERMIND, ABSOLUTE HEART and GOLD PATCH.
HOT DELIGHT, in particular, looks to be well above average with his third win in three starts for Francis Lui – who celebrated his 500th victory on Sha Tin turf – with a strong win in the Class 3 Werther Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho.
HOT DELIGHT clocked 1m 08.19s – which was only marginally outside of Victor The Winner’s class record of 1m 08.11s – and, despite rising nine pounds in the handicap after his second win, clocked 21.88s for the last 400m in winning comfortably.
He is a particularly exciting horse, and Francis has already indicated the 2027 Four-Year-Old Series is among his long-range targets.
Our next Happy Wednesday race meeting on Wednesday night (25 March) is branded as Neon Nights. With our iconic city circuit bathed in vivid neon lights, attendees will enjoy live music from retro disco and cutting-edge beats, glowing photo zones and street-food.
Tonight’s musical entertainment will be led by the talented Wendy Robin.
The competitive highlight at Happy Valley tonight is the Class 3 Kwu Tung Handicap, which is carded as Race 9 at 10.50pm and will be run over 1200m for prizemoney of HK$1.86 million.
The speed will be good with METRO POWER likely to lead despite drawing gate 11, while CALIFORNIA BLITZ will be prominent along with PEGAS, SYMBOL OF STRENGTH and IRON SECURITY.
AMAZING KID has won four of his past five runs at this course and distance. After putting together three wins on end, he finished seventh to SOVEREIGN FUND on 11 February before bouncing back to winning form on 4 March when he defeated METRO POWER and STORMING DRAGON. From gate seven, Andrea Atzeni will have AMAZING KID well place and he is a win and place chance.
SYMBOL OF STRENGTH broke through for a well -deserved victory last start, beating FLYING WROTE and POWER KOEPP. He has spent time in Conghua since and Luke Ferraris will have SYMBOL OF STRENGTH in a stalking position from gate four and he is also a win and place chance.
METRO POWER is racing well and although drawn wide, he is a place chance for James Orman.
In a race featuring five last-start winners, MY DAY MY WAY (Jerry Chau), YEE CHEONG GLORY (Alexis Badel), CALIFORNIA BLITZ (Matthew Poon), PEGAS (Hugh Bowman) and GREATER BAE (Zac Purton) are all chances in an excellent race to close the programme.
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