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One of Hong Kong’s biggest races each year is the BMW Hong Kong Derby run at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Many of their worshipped horses have taken it out. Ambitious Dragon was one of those. Will the winner of the 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday become another of those revered heroes?
2020 BMW HONG KONG DERBY - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Hong Kong Derby is a non-international graded race run under the Set Weight conditions for four year olds at Sha Tin conducted by Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Hong Kong Derby is run over 2000m. It was first run in 1873, before the HKJC was formed.
It was originally run over 2400m and even went back to 1800m but has been at the current 2000m since the year 2000.
It became for four year olds and not the traditional three year olds in 1981.
It is the final leg of the Hong Kong 4yo Triple Crown following the Hong Kong Classic Mile and the Hong Kong Classic Cup and is one of the race most sought after in Hong Kong.
Several Hong Kong Horse of the Year title winners have been the Derby winner including in recent times Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Werther (2016), and Rapper Dragon (2017).
Rapper Dragon became the first horse to win all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Vengeance Of Rain was a much heralded horse in Hong Kong and also took his acclaim around the world winning a Dubai Sheema Classic.
A couple of horses beaten in this race have produced some superb form after that including Able Friend who was second to Designs On Rome and Beauty Generation who was behind Rapper Dragon and Pakistan Star in what has turned out to be a star studded field in 2017.
Three fillies have won the Hong Kong Derby in the recent era - Vivacious (1972), Corvette (1976) and Elegant Fashion (2003).
The Hong Kong Derby was increased to be worth HK$20m in 2020.
Some notable winners of the Hong Kong Derby include Rapper Dragon (2017), Werther (2016), Designs On Rome (2014), Akeed Mofeed (2013), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Collection (2009), Viva Pataca (2006), Vengeance Of Rain (2005), Lucky Owners (2004), Elegant Fashion (2003), Johan Cruyff (1998), Makarpura Star (1995), River Verdon (1991), Yuno When (1986), Co-Tack (1983) and Football (1982).
The 2019 Hong Kong Derby was won by Furore from Waikuku and Sunny Speed.
