With a total purse of HK$36 million, the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup is currently the richest race in Hong Kong and the most lucrative 2000m turf race in the world. It is also the centrepiece of Hong Kong’s biggest international sporting event.

The initial incarnation of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup took place at Sha Tin Racecourse back in 1988, an 1800m heat open to raiders from Singapore and Malaysia and billed as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup. Flying Dancer prevailed for home trainer Brian Kan and jockey Bartie Leisher.

The race attained international Group 3 status in December 1993 and was further upgraded to international Group 2 status the following year. The big breakthrough came in 1999 when the Hong Kong International Cup was renamed the Hong Kong Cup and became the first Hong Kong race to be designated an international Group 1.

Champions from across the globe have their names etched on the honour roll: Fantastic Light, Falbrav, Alexander Goldrun, Vengeance Of Rain, Pride, Ramonti, Vision D’Etat, Snow Fairy, California Memory, Designs On Rome, A Shin Hikari, Maurice, Time Warp, Loves Only You and last year’s winner Romantic Warrior, stand out. The race ranked equal 51st in the World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races last year.