Enter the Hong Kong WFA Derby Today!
The Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the domestic racing calendar. It is also the most historic, dating back to 1873, and the most lucrative at HK$16m. It's no wonder that most owners, trainers and jockeys view the Derby trophy as the most coveted prize of all. Most major racing jurisdictions have their own Derby races. The name "Derby" originates from Great Britain in the 18th century when the race was named in honour of the 12th Earl of Derbyshire. With the exception of the war years, the race has been held every year in Hong Kong since its inception. Over the years, the Hong Kong Derby has seen its share of amendments, too. In 1981, the race became the battlefield for the top four-year-old horses. Since the 1999/2000 season, the distance of the Hong Kong Derby was increased from 1800m to its current range of 2000m. Only four-year-old horses can take part in the Derby. As such, the race represents a once-in-a-lifetime shot at fame, fortune and immortality as a Derby legend. Recent history also clearly illustrates the Derby is a race that crowns not just one local champion on the day, but also global champions of the future. In the 80's and 90's of the past century, the race produced several heroes subsequently crowned ‘Horse of the Year' such as Football, Co-Tack, Yuno When, River Verdon, Makarpura Star and Oriental Express. In the current decade, the race has demonstrably kept up with the rise of Hong Kong racing worldwide. Since 2002 four Derby winners have also triumphed at the highest international level: Olympic Express, Lucky Owners, Vengeance Of Rain and Viva Pataca - the latter pair were also voted ‘Horse of the Year'. But several others in this timeframe - such as Precision, River Dancer, The Duke, Able One and Good Ba Ba - have taken part in the Derby and used this experience as a springboard to achieving Gr.1 glory internationally. There has never been a race quite like the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby and its rich tradition and popularity will ensure there never will be. Apart from the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile and Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup have also been programmed as the 4-year-old Series. The Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile was originally a Hong Kong Group 3 event and traditional lead-up race for the Hong Kong Derby. This race was upgraded to domestic Group 1 status in the 1999/2000 season, and is now the first of the three major races for the Hong Kong classic generation. Formerly known as the Hong Kong Derby Trial, the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup is run over the distance of 1800 metres. It is the most important lead-up race to the Hong Kong Derby since the first three finishers of the Trial have priority to run in the Derby. Starting from the 2010/2011 season, the race will be upgraded to HKG1 status. To acknowledge the fact that the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup’s new status is on a par with that of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile, and to establish its position in the four-year-old classic series, its prize money and that of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile will be given equality at HK$6 million. Since the previous levels were HK$3 million and HK$8 million respectively this represents prize money for the series to be increased to HK$28 million, with the climax of the series, the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby remaining at HK$16 million. The race programmer is proud to announce that on 18 March 2012, the RaceClubs.com virtual horse racing community will have the opportunity to race in the Hong Kong WFA Derby races online! Hong Kong WFA Derby (Colts)Hong Kong WFA Derby (Fillies) Enter the Hong Kong WFA Derby Today! Information: hkjc.com
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