The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) has announced a HK$4 million increase in prizemoney for next season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series, with the overall purse lifting to a record HK$56 million.

The 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – previously run for HK$13 million – will now be worth HK$14 million, an increase of HK$1 million to each.

Marking its 150th renewal in 2027, the blue riband BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) will carry a record HK$28 million in prizemoney next season.

The 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby was run on Sunday (22 March) as the third and final leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and has been won by the likes of Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Golden Sixty (2020), Romantic Warrior (2022), Voyage Bubble (2023) and most recently by Invincible Ibis (2026).

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The enhancement in stakes to our Four-Year-Old Classic Series further rewards Owners who have made significant investments by purchasing young talents with a view to winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby. The drive of owners to win this race is key to the quality of the horses that are imported each year, underpinning our world-class racing.”

Only Rapper Dragon (2017) and Golden Sixty (2020) have won all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series in its history, while today’s announcement follows the unveiling of next season’s Premier Series, offering four-year-old PPs the chance to earn an extra HK$1 million.

Designated races for horses who meet the criteria, the Premier Series will offer top-up earnings of HK$500,000 (first place), HK$300,000 (second) and HK$200,000 (third) in addition to the current PP Bonus structure, meaning the maximum possible bonus amount for eligible PPs is now HK$4 million.

This recently announced initiative works alongside the current PP (Privately Purchased Horse) Bonus, PPG (Privately Purchased Griffin) Bonus and ISG (International Sale Griffin) Bonus, which reward horses for early success.

Photo: HKJC