Three of Hong Kong’s prestigious Group 1 races – the FWD Champions Mile (1600m), LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), and LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) – are set to receive increased prize money for the 2024/25 racing season, totalling HK$10 million (approximately £1 million).
In the upcoming season, the prize money for the 2025 FWD Champions Mile will rise from HK$22 million to HK$24 million (approximately £2.4 million), marking a 9.1% increase. Similarly, the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, already the city’s most lucrative race, will see a record prize money of HK$40 million (approximately £4.1 million), representing an 11.1% increase of HK$4 million (approximately £410,000).
The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile’s prize money will also see a significant boost, rising by HK$4 million to HK$36 million (£3.7 million), reflecting a 12.5% increase.
These enhancements contribute an additional HK$8 million to the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, resulting in a total Group 1 prize money purse of HK$126 million (approximately £12.8 million). Furthermore, the three Group 1 races at the 2025 FWD Champions Day will offer HK$74 million (approximately £7.5 million).
With this growth in prize money, Hong Kong’s 12 Group 1 races, all of which were featured in the 2023 LONGINES World’s Top 100 G1 Races, will collectively offer a record HK$265 million (approximately £27 million) for the 2024/25 racing season.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, Mr Andrew Harding, said: “Hong Kong’s two international race days – the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day – are among the elite meetings on the global stage.
“As such, the Club believes it is appropriate to provide strategic and targeted prize money increases to flagship races at our international race days.
“The FWD Champions Mile, LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and LONGINES Hong Kong Cup were all ranked in the top 20 of the LONGINES World’s Top 100 G1 Races last year, providing incredible competition and entertainment with the victories of Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior against world-class opposition.
“The prize money increases demonstrate the Club’s commitment to adequately rewarding both the Hong Kong and international owners vying for success in three of our top races.”
