Hong Kong Triple Crown
The Hong Kong Triple Crown is one of the biggest events on the Hong Kong Horse Racing calendar and consists of three races that are run between January and May each year. Most major Racing countries have a Triple Crown and Hong Kong is no different as it puts on three Group 1 Races of increasing distance that a horse must win in order to claim the coveted Triple Crown.
The Hong Kong Triple Crown is seen as one of the toughest to win and that is highlighted the fact that only one horse ever has managed to win all three races as it takes a unique amount of speed and stamina. River Verdon is the only horse to achieve that and he did it in 1994 to prove himself as one of th great horses.
The first race is the Stewards Cup which takes place in January over 1600 metres, then any horse who wants to go for the Triple Crown will move onto the prestigious Hong Kong Gold Cup in February which is run over 2000 metres. The 3rd and final leg of the Triple Crown takes place in May and is the Hong Kong Champions and Chater Cup which is run over 2400 metres.
That means that any horse wanting to win the Triple Crown will need to be produce wins over distances with 800 metres difference which is why it is known as the ultimate challenge. Any owner will recieve a bonus of HK$5million if their horse wins all three of these races with a HK$2million bonus on offer to the owner of a horse that wins two of the three legs.
Triple Crown Races
- Hong Kong Stewards Cup - January
- Hong Kong Gold Cup - February
- Hong Kong Champions and Chater Cup - May