THE POWER OF THE BIGGEST WEEK IN HONG KONG RACING - THE NUMBERS TELL A SPECTACULAR STORY

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, December 11, 2022

The 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong International races have come to an end.

The LONGINES Hong Kong International 2022 racing came to a dramatic close at Sha Tin on Sunday with two hot favorites being defeated in the Group 1 races, but the events of the day did little to diminish the world class racing we got to enjoy over the entirety of the past week.

The first upset came in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase when the heavily supported Stone Age from the Aidan O’Brien stables was defeated by the Japanese runner Win Marilyn ridden by Damian Lane.

The biggest upset of the day then came in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile when the local Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty was defeated by California Spangle ridden to perfection by Zac Purton.

The battle between Hong Kong and the World continued and in 2022 the victory went to Hong Kong - winning three of the feature races with one Japanese horse, Win Marilyn, winning the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase.

THE NUMBERS FOR 2022

225 horses competed in 19 races at Happy Valley and Sha Tin, with an average field size of 12 at Happy Valley and 12.9 at Sha Tin.

HK$120.15 million prize money was paid out over the two days – truly extraordinary!

13 different trainers shared in the prize money – a great display of the equality and the competitive nature of the racing and the stables in Hong Kong.

15 different jockeys won races over the two days – the highlight would have to be that seven international jockeys were able to claim victory on the biggest racing days of Hong Kong.

Zac Purton rode a winning treble on LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Day and Ryan Moore rode a winning treble across the two-day Carnival.

Zac Purton was the leading jockey with his winning rides totalling HK$32.98 million in prize money – with Ryan Moore hot behind with HK$27.45 million in prize money.

Tony Cruz was the leading trainer with 2 winners – claiming HK18.39 million in winning prize money, however Danny Shum did win the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (Group 1) with Romantic Warrior taking HK$19.38 million in prize money for the one win in the feature race.

THE CROWDS:

To think that just two years ago only 271 patrons were trackside to see the running of the 2020 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is a sad memory, but due to the restrictions placed on the HKJC due to COVID-19 that is what occurred.

In 2022 the HKJC was happy to see 45,305 at the track. Not to the huge numbers of pre-COVID periods, however, the largest crowd at the HKJC since the insidious disease struck the world.

THE BETTING:

LONGINES Hong Kong International Race Day 2022 broke all records in betting turnover with HK$1.7 billion being wagered on the meeting. Yes, I did say billion!

THE LONGINES PARTNERSHIP AND BRANDING:

The HKJC announced on Friday night at the Gala Dinner to honour the 2022 LONGINES World Best Jockey that a new agreement had been reached with LONGINES to remain as the major sponsor for the HKIR for a further five years. The successful partnership was created in 2012 and now will run until the end of 2026.

"LONGINES is particularly proud to be associated with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and would like to thank all the members of this prestigious institution for their excellent collaboration. As Title Partner and Official Timekeeper, we are delighted to continue this long-standing relationship and to share our common passion for equestrian sports," said Matthias Breschan, CEO of LONGINES.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

For me the highlights of the HKIR must be superb riding tactics of Zac Purton aboard the Tony Cruz California Spangle to defeat the Hong Kong reigning Champion Golden Sixty.

Golden Sixty failed in his bid to become the second galloper to win three consecutive LONGINES Hong Kong Miles, but there was no shame in his fourth career defeat on the biggest day of racing in Hong Kong.

The jubilant crowd stood and applauded and cheered their champion as he returned to scale after the winner had already made his way to the winner’s stalls.

The second highlight must be the demolition job completed on a world-class field in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup by Romantic Warrior ridden by the 2022 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey – James McDonald.

The win was breathtaking to take out Hong Kong’s richest race offering HK$34 million in prize money – of which HK$19.38 goes to the winner.

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