Hong Kong Derby

The Hong Kong Derby is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1873. Restricted to horses four-years-old only since 1981, the race is run in mid-March and is the premier event on the domestic racing programme with a purse of HK$16 million (app. US$2 million).

The first Hong Kong Derby was raced at Happy Valley Racecourse but in 1979 was transferred permanently to its present location at Sha Tin Racecourse. Initially run at 2,400 meters it was changed several times and was at 1,800 meters in 1999 when it was increased to its current 2,000 meters (10 furlongs) in the year 2000.

Since 1981, the Derby has been won by several horses who went on to earn Hong Kong Horse of the Year honors including Football, Co-Tack, Yuno When and River Verdon. In 2003, Elegant Fashion became the first filly to win the Derby since 1976.

Since 2004 the race has been sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.