The HK$93 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races will bring together international stars for four exciting and elite Group 1 contests at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 9 December.

Among the 50 selections – featuring 23 G1 winners – is a 25-strong contingent of world class overseas raiders including Japan’s champion sprinter Fine Needle (鐵杵成針), plus the hugely-talented Sungrazer (白日彗星) and five other G1-winning compatriots. The strong Japanese party also includes crack miler Persian Knight (波斯劍客) who will challenge Hong Kong’s outstanding champion Beauty Generation (美麗傳承), the world’s highest-rated specialist turf miler.

The European cohort features French ace Waldgeist (樹林之靈) and the past two winners of the G1 Irish Derby, Latrobe (研究大學) and Capri (卡帕利島), as well as Britain’s new G1 heroine One Master (我作主).

The LONGINES HKIR is the sport’s global year-end Group 1 extravaganza. The “Turf World Championships” features the HK$28 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), the HK$25 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), the HK$20 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and the HK$20 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Hong Kong won three of the four features last year and Beauty Generation (美麗傳承) (Mile), Time Warp (馬克羅斯) (Cup) and Mr Stunning (紅衣醒神) (Sprint) are selected to defend their crowns. The now-retired Irish ace Highland Reel (高地之舞) scored in the Vase in 2017.

Japan’s horsemen drew a blank last year but have assembled a nine-strong raiding party in an attempt to add to the recent brilliant wins of Maurice (滿樂時), A Shin Hikari (榮進之光) and Satono Crown (里見皇冠).

Ireland has four horses engaged, Great Britain eight, France two, and Australia and Singapore one apiece. The overseas challengers are primed to face a 25-strong Hong Kong defence, which includes the circuit’s latest speed sensation.

Mr. Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, said: “The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is firmly established among a select handful of the world’s great international racing occasions. It ticks all the boxes with excellent prize money, a fantastic atmosphere, the best horsemen and exciting races, but the world class quality of the competitors is what really elevates the event to its status as the sport’s global year-end showcase.

"Once again, we are delighted that this year’s selected runners are of proven world class ability. We expect to see excellence at this event and with strong contenders like Hong Kong’s own incredible Beauty Generation (美麗傳承), Japan’s Fine Needle (鐵杵成針), and European stars including Waldgeist (樹林之靈) and Latrobe (研究大學), we can expect another thrilling afternoon of sport on 9 December.”

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

Only California Memory (加州萬里) (2011 and 2012) has won the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup back-to-back and Time Warp (馬克羅斯) faces a difficult task to emulate the little grey, with strong opposition entered from home and abroad.

Japan has won the race five times, most recently with A Shin Hikari (榮進之光) (2015) and Maurice (滿樂時) (2016), and that nation’s army of racing fans will be cheering on Sungrazer (白日彗星), Deirdre (迪雅卓) and Staphanos (善得福) this time. Sungrazer (白日彗星) heads in off a very good second in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), while G1 heroine Deirdre (迪雅卓) warmed up with a G2 win over Vase contender Lys Gracieux (雍容白荷).

Ireland’s one victory in the Cup came in 2004 with Alexander Goldrun (歷山金駒) and this time the Aga Khan’s Eziyra (伊士華) will fly the Irish tricolour. The four-year-old G2 winner has been placed behind the best fillies in Europe – Enable (成全寶) in last year’s G1 Irish Oaks and Sea Of Class (海都名門) in this year’s G1 Yorkshire Oaks.

The Hong Kong defence will include former Horse of the Year Werther (明月千里) who needs a LONGINES Hong Kong Cup win to complete a full set of Hong Kong majors at 2000m.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

The incredible Beauty Generation (美麗傳承) has blown away all-comers at Sha Tin so far this season and took the great Good Ba Ba’s (好爸爸) track record when successful in the G2 Jockey Club Mile last start. He is entered for a bid to become the first follow-up winner of the race since Good Ba Ba (好爸爸) pulled off three in a row (2007-2009).

Hong Kong’s champion faces a strong overseas challenge. Japan’s Mozu Ascot (魔族雅谷) won the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June and the Frankel colt had no luck in the run when down the field in the G1 Mile Championship last weekend; compatriot Persian Knight (波斯劍客), victorious in that latter contest in 2017, finished a head second and aims towards Sha Tin in peak form. Vivlos (強擊) won the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in 2017 and was second in the same race this year.

Britain’s One Master (我作主) proved herself a top-class filly when delivering a determined deep run to win the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October, with the Andre Fabre-trained galloper Inns Of Court (律師公會) a short-head second. The William Haggas-trained One Master (我作主) was a close fifth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile last time.

Hong Kong will also look to 2016 winner Beauty Only (美麗大師) and Kranji Mile hero Southern Legend (川河尊駒).

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

Japan has only two G1 sprints on its calendar and Fine Needle (鐵杵成針) completed the 1200m double in September, adding the Sprinters Stakes to his March victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. The Godolphin galloper has evidently matured since running fourth in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in April.

There are no easy sprints at Sha Tin though and Japan’s standout will face a strong local contingent in what is expected to be a thrilling contest. Hot King Prawn (旺蝦王) is the latest local speed star and the grey heads into his first G1 test with nine wins from 10 starts, including an unblemished hat-trick this term against the best in town.

G1 July Cup fourth Sir Dancealot (舞蹈狂) brings top European form to the race, while Lim’s Cruiser (林家遊輪) is set to be the first Singapore raider in the Sprint since Super Easy (很簡單) finished down the field behind the great Lord Kanaloa (龍王) in 2012. The six-year-old won the SIN G1 Lion City Cup in May.

Mr Stunning (紅衣醒神) took the prize last year and the consistent galloper was a half-length second to Hot King Prawn (旺蝦王), under a 5lb penalty, in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint last Sunday. G1-placed Beat The Clock (爭分奪秒) was third in that race, his first since April.

Ivictory (天下為攻) won the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize last term and is also among the selected runners, as is last season’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup winner D B Pin (翩翩).

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

Waldgeist (樹林之靈) earned his stripes as one of the world’s top middle-distance gallopers with four wins this year including the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and will attempt to give trainer Fabre a third Vase win. The four-year-old was a running-on fourth to Enable (成全寶) in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

European-trained runners have won 20 of the 24 editions of the Hong Kong Vase. Ireland is responsible for only two of those, thanks to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Highland Reel (高地之舞) (2015 & 2017), but that nation has a strong hand this time.

O’Brien has last year’s G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger hero Capri (卡帕利島) in the field, while his son, Joseph O’Brien, is set to run Latrobe (研究大學), this year’s Irish Derby victor and a close second in the G1 McKinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington earlier this month. O’Brien senior also has G1 Melbourne Cup fifth Rostropovich (演奏家) in the field.

Japan has the talented one-two from this month’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto, Lys Gracieux (雍容白荷) and Crocosmia (火星花).

Sir Michael Stoute took the Vase in 2000 with Daliapour (大利多) and has engaged the progressive four-year-old Mirage Dancer (玄舞幻步). Prince Of Arran (玄舞幻步) was third in the Melbourne Cup, while Salouen (怒江) almost caused a shock when a head second to Cracksman (金庫神偷) in the G1 Coronation Cup in June and was an eye-catching sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Hong Kong last won the Vase with Dominant (多名利) in 2013. The local team looks solid this time with recent G2 Jockey Club Cup one-two Eagle Way (鷹雄) and Exultant (時時精綵), as well as the mercurial two-time G1 winner Pakistan Star (巴基之星), in the line-up.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

SUNGRAZER (白日彗星) – JPN

Seven-time winner from 16 starts, with three G2 scores; very good second latest behind Rey De Oro (金之霸) in G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn).

TIME WARP (馬克羅斯) – HK

All-the-way winner of this race and the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) last term; out of form afterwards until winning G3 Ladies’ Purse Handicap earlier this month.

WERTHER (明月千里) – HK

2015/16 Hong Kong Horse of the Year and three-time G1 winner; wins at course and distance include Hong Kong Derby, G1 QEII Cup and G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup.

NORTHERN SUPERSTAR (雪霸神駒) – HK

Top-class in South Africa with wins in G1 Cape Derby and G1 Daily News 2000; yet to race in Hong Kong since being imported during the off-season.

SEASONS BLOOM (四季旺) – HK

Breakthrough G1 win in the Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and went close behind Time Warp (馬克羅斯) in G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at the course and distance thereafter.

GOLD MOUNT (大雄圖) – HK

2016 King George V Handicap winner at Royal Ascot; placed in G1 QEII Cup and G1 Champions & Chater Cup last term.

STORMY ANTARCTIC (極地風暴) – GB

G1-placed four times and scored G2 win at Baden-Baden this spring; smart fourth to Roaring Lion in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot latest.

STAPHANOS (善得福) – JPN

Placed third and fourth in past two editions of this race and heads back to Sha Tin for fifth time; G1-placed five times.

GLORIOUS FOREVER (歡樂之光) – HK

Developed into a leading middle-distance runner since Hong Kong breakthrough win late last season; held the 2000m Sha Tin track record for a time.

DEIRDRE (迪雅卓) – JPN

Top-class seven-time winner, landed G1 Shuka Sho in 2017; third in G1 Dubai Turf in March and unbeaten in two races since, latterly a 1800m G2 in October.

EZIYRA (伊士華) – IRE

Third to star fillies Enable (成全寶) and Sea Of Class (海都名門) in the 2017 G1 Irish Oaks (2400m) and 2018 G1 Yorkshire Oaks (2400m) respectively; G2 winner this autumn.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

BEAUTY GENERATION (美麗傳承) – HK

Last year’s winner, a three-time G1 victor and unbeaten in three impressive outings this term; Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year and the world’s highest-rated turf miler.

PERSIAN KNIGHT (波斯劍客) – JPN

Won G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in 2017 and beaten a head in the same contest earlier this month.

COMIN’ THROUGH (衝破難關) – AUS

Top-class miler earned G1 honours in Doomben Cup to end last term, having placed second in the G1 Doncaster Mile.

MOZU ASCOT (魔族雅谷) – JPN

Progressed into top miler this spring with peak win in G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in June; no luck latest in G1 Mile Championship.

BEAUTY ONLY (美麗大師) – HK

Numbers success in this race in 2016 among seven course and distance victories, including the G2 Jockey Club Mile and the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

BEAT THE BANK (小刀鋸木) – GB

High-class British miler and notched a brace of G2 wins this summer at Ascot and Goodwood.

FIFTY FIFTY (五十五十) – HK

G1-placed in Stewards’ Cup and Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup last term after a rapid advance from Class 3; runner-up in G2 Premier Bowl at 1200m this term.

SINGAPORE SLING (星洲司令) – HK

A leading four-year-old last term, winning Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and placing second in Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Derby.

SOUTHERN LEGEND (川河尊駒) – HK

Progressed last term to follow a fine third in the G1 Champions Mile with an easy win in the SIN G1 Kranji Mile last May; smart second in G2 Jockey Club Mile latest.

INNS OF COURT (律師公會) – FR

Has twice got to within a short-head of a G1 score; in the 2017 Prix Jacques le Marois and most recently behind One Master (我作主) in the G1 Prix de la Foret.

NOTHINGILIKEMORE (當家精選) – HK

Won five from six before landing the Hong Kong Classic Mile in January this year; sixth in G2 Sha Tin Trophy latest.

ONE MASTER (我作主) – GB

Delivered a determined deep run to nick the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October; close fifth in G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile latest.

VIVLOS (強擊) – JPN

Won the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in 2017 and was second in that same race this year.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

IVICTORY (天下為攻) – HK

Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter roared through the grades last season, leaping from a Class 2 score at Happy Valley to a G1 win in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April.

MR STUNNING (紅衣醒神) – HK

Last year’s winner and placed all five starts since; new stable this term and runner-up when conceding 5lb to Hot King Prawn (旺蝦王) in G2 Jockey Club Sprint latest.

D B Pin (翩翩) – HK

Hong Kong’s Most Improved Horse in 2016/17; runner-up in this race last year and successful in January’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup.

BEAT THE CLOCK (爭分奪秒)– HK

Rising star last term with a G2 win and three placed runs in G1s – beaten by close margins; smart third in G2 Jockey Club Sprint latest after almost seven months off.

HOT KING PRAWN (旺蝦王) – HK

Exciting new kid on the G1 block; has nine wins from 10 starts and heads in off a hat-trick of wins this term, most recently a make-all score in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.

FINE NEEDLE (鐵杵成針) – JPN

Japan’s star sprinter; completed G1 double this year of Takamatsunomiya Kinen and Sprinters Stakes; two-time winner of G2 Centaur Stakes.

SIR DANCEALOT (舞蹈狂) – GB

Tough and classy with four wins from 11 starts at 1200m and 1400m this term, including a pair of G2 contests; fine 4th in G1 July Cup.

WINNER’S WAY (勝得威) – HK

Smart G3 winner and won the Class 1 feature at the course and distance on the first day of the season; solid fourth in G2 Jockey Club Sprint latest

PINGWU SPARK (平湖之星) – HK

Popular grey galloper with five Hong Kong wins at 1200m-1400m; has posted respectable efforts at a mile in the high grades.

LIM’S CRUISER (林家遊輪) – SIN

High-class sprinter and successful in SIN G1 Lion City Cup at Kranji in May; returned to action this week with an impressive win on his home track.

BORN IN CHINA (軍歌) – HK

Won the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot in 2014; smart 1200-1400m galloper in Hong Kong; sixth in G2 Jockey Club Sprint latest.

LITTLE GIANT (小巨人) – HK

Lightly-raced six-year-old with a Hong Kong career record of three wins from only five starts; ran on from deep to third in a hot Class 1 handicap last time.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

WALDGEIST (樹林之靈) – FR

Top-class middle-distance runner; won G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and G2 Prix Foy before running-on fourth in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 

PAKISTAN STAR (巴基之星) – HK

Brilliant but mercurial Hong Kong International Sale graduate; won G1 Champions & Chater Cup and G1 QEII Cup in the spring.

CAPRI (卡帕利島) – IRE

Won the G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger in 2017; G3 win on return in April then off track until the autumn; solid fifth in G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

SALOUEN (怒江) – GB

Tried to make all and almost caused a shock when a head second to Cracksman (金庫神偷) in G1 Coronation Cup in June; eye-catching sixth in Prix de l’Arc de Triopmhe latest.

EXULTANT (時時精綵) – HK

Third in G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2017; now a classy stayer in Hong Kong – two G3 wins, second in G1 Champions & Chater Cup and in recent G2 Jockey Club Cup.

MIRAGE DANCER (玄舞幻步) – GB

Late-maturing galloper with a G1 pedigree; G2-placed and commanding winner of G3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in August.

EAGLE WAY (鷹雄) – HK

Won the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m) pre-import; a pair of G3 wins were his best Hong Kong results prior to a return to peak with victory in G2 Jockey Club Cup latest.

RED VERDON (紅翠) – GB

G1-placed galloper; no match for Crystal Ocean (晶瑩汪洋) when sound second in G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and 11th in G1 Caulfield Cup latest.

PRINCE OF ARRAN (玄舞幻步) – GB

Admirable globetrotter who followed a G3 win at Flemington in early November with a fine third in the G1 Melbourne Cup just three days later.

RUTHVEN (佳騰駒) – HK

High-class stayer at his best and won the G1 Queensland Derby in 2017; has not matched that level yet in Hong Kong.

LYS GRACIEUX (雍容白荷) – JPN

Gained a well-deserved first G1 win with a defeat of Crocosmia (火星花) in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup last time.

CROCOSMIA (火星花) – JPN

G2 winner and runner-up in the past two editions of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, latterly to Lys Gracieux (雍容白荷) earlier this month.

LATROBE (研究大學) – IRE

One of Europe’s leading three-year-old colts; won the G1 Irish Derby and was narrowly beaten into second in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.

ROSTROPOVICH (演奏家) – IRE

Runner-up to Latrobe (研究大學) in the G1 Irish Derby and ran a fine race to finish fifth in the G1 Melbourne Cup last time.