Hong Kong International Races Receive Substantial Boost

Prize money for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) will be worth a record HK$118 million in 2023 and will again host the world's richest Group 1 turf races over 1200m, 1600m and 2000m, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Monday.

The G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup received a 5.9% increase to HK$36 million, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) has been boosted by 8.3% to HK$26 million, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) will grow by 6.7% to HK$32 million and the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) received a 9.1% bump to HK$24 million.

Additionally, each of the city's 12 Group 1 races will rise by a minimum of HK$1 million for a combined HK$20 million as part of an overall prize money increase of 10%. Hong Kong's record prize money and incentive structure now stretches to an estimated HK$1.73 billion across the 2023/24 season. The world's richest Group 1 turf race over 1400m–the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup–offers HK$13 million in prize money, while the Club has also raised purses on Group 2 and Group 3 races to HK$5.35 million and HK$4.2 million, hikes of 7.0% and 7.7%, respectively.

Including substantial increases to the PP and PPG bonus scheme, Hong Kong's domestic racing prize money pool will increase by 8% alone next season – with an additional HK$94 million on offer – to HK$1.38 billion.

“The Longines Hong Kong International Races continue to be widely recognised as the 'Turf World Championships' and the HK$118 million total prize money on offer next season also underscores the Club's commitment to attracting and rewarding the world's best horses and their connections,” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said. “With growing competition around the world, it is crucial that Hong Kong's two international race days-Longines Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day–continue to be destinations of choice for owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world.”

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Romanised Camp Still Considering Hong Kong

G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is still a potential candidate for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at the Longines Hong Kong International Races in mid-December at Sha Tin. Although third when favoured after a slow beginning at Dundalk on Monday, the 5-year-old won the G2 Minstrel S. earlier this year and was sixth in the G1 Prix du Moulin in September. Also a winner of the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, the Ken Condon trainee’s performance has not discouraged his connections.

“I think it served its purpose–it was a prep run and he blew the start,” said Condon of the Robert Ng colourbearer. “Billy [Lee, jockey] had to get him into the race, then he was in his hands a bit. He travelled really well through the race, like we know he can, and went to win his race and just took a blow and got a bit tired. If you take him in isolation, it was an interesting exercise as he’s run his race faster than anything else, if that makes sense.

“If he’d jumped away with them, it would have been a different story. Billy was particularly happy and he’s the one that is the most relevant in this jigsaw.”

He added, “We’ll see how he is in the next week–we don’t have to commit to Hong Kong immediately. But I still think we’re on course and he’ll get something from the race [at Dundalk], as he’d been off the track a while.

“All things considered, it was a solid run. It’s important now to see how he trains in the next week as it’s a long way to go and we want to be going there with a horse in top condition. I was initially disappointed that he got beaten, but after I analysed it closely and watched the race several times and listened to everybody, I think he’s run well.”

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