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The Europeans dominate the history of the Longines Hong Kong Vase run at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Highland Reel was a grand Coolmore horse winning twice. Will they do it again in the 2019 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday?
2019 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Longines Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for the stayers at Sha Tin conducted by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
It is run as part of the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) meeting run in December each year.
The Longines Hong Kong Vase is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1994 and was won by Red Bishop.
It has always been at the mile and a half and was granted Group 2 status in 1996 then became a Group 1 from 2000.
Most wins by a Trainer (2): Elie Lellouche, Clive Brittain, Andre Fabre, Ed Dunlop, Richard Gibson and Aidan O'Brien.
Most wins by a Jockey (4): Olivier Peslier.
Three horses have won the Vase twice:- Luso, Doctor Dino and Highland Reel.
Dunaden became the first Melbourne Cup winner to take the Longines Hong Kong Vase.
Three three-year-olds have won, all European - Vallee Enchantee, Daryakana and Highland Reel in 2015. Highland Reel won after placing to Winx in the Cox Plate.
Ed Dunlop's grand mare Ouija Board won seven G1s worldwide including the Vase in 2005. She would go on to produce the dual Derby winner Australia.
Her ill-fated stable mate and Melbourne Cup hero Red Cadeaux won in 2012 after runs at Flemington and Tokyo in the Japan Cup.
Highland Reel ended his grand career with a win in 2017. He has won the race in 2015 and was second in 2016.
Exultant was one of Hong Kong's four home trained winners on International Day 2018. He would also win the Hong Kong Gold Cup and Champions & Chater Cup in the same season.
The Longines Hong Kong Vase is worth HK$20m in 2019.
Notable winners of the Longines Hong Kong Vase include Exultant (2018), Highland Reel (2015/2017), Satono Crown (2016), Flintshire (2014), Red Cadeaux (2012), Dunaden (2011), Doctor Dino (2007/2008), Ouija Board (2005), Daliapour (2000) and Luso (1996/1997).
The 2018 Longines Hong Kong Vase was won by Exultant from Lys Gracieux and Eziyra.
