With the completion of the official barrier draw for the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday (22 March) at Sha Tin, the stage is now set for a truly compelling staging of the “race of once-in-a-lifetime glory.”
As the most coveted race in Hong Kong, the BMW Hong Kong Derby carries even more prestige in 2026 since it will be contested in the Year of the Horse, a year-long celebration which celebrates our city’s long and abiding connection with this magnificent animal.
With the presence of HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victor LITTLE PARADISE and HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) winner STORMY GROVE, along with in-form EMBLAZON, who is chasing his fifth victory in a row, this is one of the most intriguing Derbies in the race’s long and esteemed history.
Well-credentialled horses from the Southern Hemisphere – LITTLE PARADISE, STORMY GROVE, NUMBERS, SAGACIOUS LIFE, INVINCIBLE IBIS, PATCH OF COSMO, EMBLAZON, TOP DRAGON, JUNEAU PRIDE, DAZZLING FIT and POPY CODY – have set an impressive standard this season.
But, even though it is heavily out-numbered, it would not be wise to write off the chances of the Northern Hemisphere’s BEAUTY BOLT, REGAL GEM and SERAPH GABRIEL in what is the ultimate staying challenge for this season’s four-year-old generation – and in a wide-open BMW Hong Kong Derby.
As a mark of the race’s international nature, five countries and jurisdictions are represented – Australia (seven), New Zealand (three), Ireland (two), Great Britain (one) and Brazil (one).
The short run to the turn from the 2000m start of the BMW Hong Kong Derby can shape the race in terms of horse position and overall field tempo and tactics are always crucial. History shows horses can win from virtually any gate with the last three winners – CAP FERRAT under Craig Williams from barrier two, MASSIVE SOVEREIGN for Zac Purton from gate 10 and, famously VOYAGE BUBBLE from barrier 14 for Alexis Badel – triumphing from contrasting starting positions.
Since 2000, when the race was first run at Sha Tin over 2000m, only two barriers have failed to provide a winner – gates one and five.
Conversely gates two and four (four wins each) and barrier seven (three wins) have been the most successful since the year 2000, while gates three, six, nine, 10 and 14 have two wins each.
Historical data shows inside gates – two, three and four – are advantageous and based on this, SAGACIOUS LIFE, INVINCIBLE IBIS and REGAL GEM fared well at the barrier draw.
But, as VOYAGE BUBBLE showed under an inspired ride by Alexis, anything is possible in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
One feature of recent editions of the BMW Hong Kong Derby has been the fast times with MASSIVE SOVEREIGN in 2024 clocking 1m 59.85s to eclipse GOLDEN SIXTY’s previous race record of 2m 00.15s, set in 2020, while CAP FERRAT clocked an impressive 2m 00.67s last season.
If the trend continues this weekend, and the race is run at a good pace throughout, horses such as LITTLE PARADISE (gate 10) for Vincent Ho and Jimmy Ting, and STORMY GROVE (barrier seven), for Frankie Lor and Harry Bentley, will be well suited and in a position to produce the acceleration which carried them to victory in the first two legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Mark Newnham enjoyed a career-high on Wednesday night (18 March) with five winners – SOARING BRONCO, ARMOR GOLDEN EAGLE, NOTTHESILLYONE, ACE WAR and CRIMSON FLASH – to move back into second place in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship behind Caspar Fownes (43 wins).
With 41 wins so far from 55 meetings, Mark is well placed to better his personal best tally of 44 victories in a Hong Kong season and he will team with Hugh Bowman and INVINCIBLE IBIS this Sunday.
INVINCIBLE IBIS was beaten only a length in the Hong Kong Classic Cup and, if successful in the 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby, he would complete a marvellous week for Mark, while Hugh knows what it takes to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby, having achieved the feat with WERTHER in 2016 and FURORE in 2019.
I would like to wish all connections the very best of luck this weekend and may the best horse win.
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