Hong Kong Mile History
The Group 1 Hong Kong Mile is the worlds richest 1600m turf event with a price pool of $14,000,000 HK. The Hong Kong Mile debuted in 1991 and was formerly known as the Hong Kong International bowl.
The Hong Kong Mile lures many of the greatest middle-distance runners from all around the world. Some of the great winners of the race are Docksider in 1999, Sunline in 2000 and Eishin Preston in 2001. The horses that have won or placed inthe last four runnings of the Hong Kong Mile have represented seven different countries on three continents. This alone makes this race a showcase for international talent.
Olympic Express upset the international field in 2002 by winning by a neck with odds of 48:1. After taking the lead with 200m to run Olympic Express held off Electric Unicorn and Tokai Point to bring the race home. Long shots seem to fare well in the Hong Kong Mile. It's first ever winner was Additional Risk at odds of 33:1.
Even with the big odds on offer, Monopolize is the only horse to ever win the Hong Kong cup twice with his wins in 1995 and 1996. Another great record is held by Jim And Tonic, being the only horse to ever win two different Hong Kong International Races, winning the Hong Kong Mile in 1998 and then the Hong Kong Cup in 1999.
The Hong Kong Mile has a purse of more then seven times when it started and has been awarded greatly increased prestige accordingly. The race lures the best mile-runners from around the globe in the quest for adding a victory in the Hong Kong Mile to their winning list.
|
