Hong Kong Derby
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The Hong Kong Derby is a Hong Kong Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1873. Restricted to horses four-years-old and up 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 1800 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.
[edit] Recent winners of the Hong Kong Derby
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
| 2007 | Vital King | Brett Pebble | Paul O'Sullivan | Chong Man-lung | 2:02.90 |
| 2006 | Viva Pataca | Christophe Soumillon | John Moore | Stanley Ho Hung Sun | 2.04.60 |
| 2005 | Vengeance Of Rain | Anthony Delpech | David E. Ferraris | Raymond Gianco Chow Hon Man | 2.04.30 |
| 2004 | Lucky Owners | Felix Coetzee | Tony Cruz | Leung Kai Fai | 2.02.60 |
| 2003 | Elegant Fashion | Gerald Mosse | David A. Hayes | Gene Tsoi Wai-wang | 2.03.60 |
| 2002 | Olympic Express | Weichong Marwing | Ivan W. Allan | Larry C. K. Yung | 2.05.10 |
| 2001 | Industrial Pioneer | Gerald Mosse | Brian Kan Ping-chee | Albert Hu Si Nok, Ngan Keng Hing, Tang Ying Hon, Kenneth Kong Siu Chee | 2.03.10 |
| 2000 | Keen Winner | Robbie Fradd | Anthony T. Millard | Victor Lui Ting, Lau Chi Wah, Jimmy Lee Yee Liong | 2.03.30 |
| 1999 | Holy Grail | Davidson Harrison | Ivan W. Allan | ||
| 1998 | Johan Cruyff | Eric Legrix | Patrick L. Biancone | ||
| 1997 | Oriental Express | Basil Marcus | Ivan W. Allan | ||
| 1996 | Che Sera Sera | Michael Kinane | David Oughton | ||
| 1995 | Makarpura Star | Tony Cruz | John Moore | ||
| 1994 | Super Fit | Gerald Mosse | Lawrie Fownes | ||
| 1993 | Helene Star | Eric Legrix | Patrick L. Biancone | ||
| 1992 | Sound Print | Michael Kinane | Brian Kan Ping-chee | ||
| 1991 | River Verdon | John Matthias | David Hill | ||
| 1990 | Reliable Source | Maurice Philipperon | Peter B. K. Ng | ||
| 1989 | William's Coach | Bart Leisher | Brian Kan Ping-chee | ||
| 1988 | Clear City | Tony Cruz | P. M. Chu | ||
| 1987 | Tea For Two II | Tony Cruz | C. L. Ng | ||
| 1986 | Yuno When | C. M. Cheng | Brian Kan Ping-chee | ||
| 1985 | Superior Gold | Brian Rouse | Brian Kan Ping-chee | ||
| 1984 | Baby Tiger | Philippe Paquet | T. C. Cheng | ||
| 1983 | Co-Tack | Tony Cruz | T. P. Wong |
