On the eve of the conclusion of the 2015/2016 racing season in Hong Kong, officials at the Hong Kong Jockey Club have announced that prize money levels for the coming season will exceed HK$1.1 billion (US$144.8 million) over the course of 88 meetings beginning Saturday, Sept. 3. That number is up from 83 meetings conducted in each of the last seven years.
“The average prize money per race in Hong Kong is the highest in the world and these increases maintain our position as a world leader in the sport,” said Anthony Kelly, Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations, for the HKJC. “We are fully aware of the significant costs associated with importing high-quality horses to Hong Kong, and a boost to prize money is geared towards incentivising our Owners to continue to buy quality bloodstock while recovering the costs of their involvement in the sport.”
Class 15/16 Value 16/17 Value % Increase
1 2,400,000 2,500,000 4.2%
2 1,650,000 1,750,000 6.1%
3 1,165,000 1,235,000 6.0%
4 800,000 840,000 5.0%
5 600,000 630,000 5.0%
While there will be no changes to the purse structure for December's Longines Hong Kong International Races, two of the three spring features at Sha Tin Racecourse will see significant increases. The G1 Champions Mile will feature 2017 prize money of HK$16 million (US$2.06 million), up from HK$14 million in 2016, while the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize will be worth HK$14 million (US$1.8 million), a 40% increase over last year's running, won by top Australian sprinter Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}). Both races will be run Sunday, May 7.
In the 2016/17 season, all of Hong Kong's International group races will be open for overseas entrants following Hong Kong's promotion to Part I of the “Blue Book” by the International Race Planning Advisory Committee. Prize money for Group 2 contests remains at HK$4 million (US$515,625) with Group 3 races offered at HK$3 million (US$386,718).
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