Little Paradise and Stormy Grove top an exciting list of 14 selected runners for next Sunday’s (22 March) HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin – the ultimate test for Hong Kong’s up-and-coming horses seeking once-in-a-lifetime glory in the final leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which in 2026 carries even more prestige in the Year of the Horse.

Successful in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Little Paradise – who tops the field rated 103 and is owned by Ko Kam Piu – returns in search of a seventh career win and first in the city’s most coveted contest for his trainer Jimmy Ting.

Stormy Grove secured a phenomenal victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, and the chestnut – raced by Lily Chan Li Lei & Marc Chan – emerged as a leading contender with that late-dashing win for trainer Frankie Lor, who captured the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby with Furore.

Lor also fields recent HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) winner Numbers as well as Regal Gem. The 100-rated Numbers was fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup – one and a half lengths off Stormy Grove, while Regal Gem is yet to race beyond 1650m.

Initially run in 1873, the Hong Kong Derby is restricted to four-year-olds. Past winners include River Verdon (1991), Oriental Express (1997), Vengeance Of Rain (2005), Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Werther (2016), Rapper Dragon (2017), Golden Sixty (2020), Romantic Warrior (2022), Voyage Bubble (2023) and Cap Ferrat (2025).

Trainer Mark Newnham is looking to go one position better than his close second in last year’s running with My Wish, saddling Invincible Ibis – owned by the Ibis Syndicate – who comes off a second placing to Stormy Grove in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Manfred Man’s Patch Of Cosmo was a brilliant first-up winner in January following a setback, and most recently finished a fast-closing third in the Hong Kong Classic Cup. He returns in the BMW Hong Kong Derby – which will be his first time racing over 2000m. 

Pierre Ng was second with Galaxy Patch in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby. This year, he seeks Hong Kong racing’s ultimate prize with Brazilian Group 1 winner Sagacious Life, who has two Class 2 wins from five appearances in Hong Kong.

Horse racing legend Tony Cruz won the race four times as a jockey with Co-Tack (1983), Tea For Two II (1987), Clear City (1988) and Makarpura Star (1995), while as a trainer he has prevailed with Lucky Owners (2004) and Helene Mascot (2008).

Cruz saddles dual winner Beauty Bolt, who was third in the Hong Kong Classic Mile for owners the Kwok Family, in his quest for further success in the famed contest.

Thirteen-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer John Size also has a long and successful relationship with the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, spearheaded by three Hong Kong Derby wins: Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018).

The Australian Racing Hall of Famer saddles Juneau Pride, who rises to 2000m for the first time in Sunday week’s blue riband BMW Hong Kong Derby, which carries a first-place prize of HK$14.56 million. 

Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “I would like to send my congratulations to the owners of all 14 horses selected to run in the BMW Hong Kong Derby – a race which we celebrate as offering once-in-a-lifetime glory to the victor and in 2026 is especially significant because it is staged in the Year of the Horse.

“The BMW Hong Kong Derby is one of world racing’s greatest sporting events. It is steeped in immense history and is one of the leading attractions in our city for fans at home and abroad with the race broadcast to many corners of the world.

“The Year of the Horse is one of the most auspicious chapters in history of Hong Kong racing and is a wonderful achievement to even have a runner in the BMW Hong Kong Derby as we celebrate Hong Kong’s special connection with the horse who symbolises the city’s can do spirit, resilience and pursuit of excellence.

“The BMW Hong Kong Derby has produced many of our great champions, such as Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in recent times. This year’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series has been incredibly competitive across the first two legs, and the BMW Hong Kong Derby looks like it will be no different.

“I would like to thank our sponsors BMW and Sime Motors Group (Hong Kong & Macau), who have been the partners of the BMW Hong Kong Derby since 2013.”

Chris So captured the Hong Kong Classic Cup in 2023 with Super Sunny Sing. The trainer returns in search of a first BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph with triple winner Top Dragon, who finished an interrupted fifth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile in February.

Emblazon enters the BMW Hong Kong Derby amid a remarkable campaign, winning five times from six starts, including his past four in succession. Cody Mo’s Zoustar gelding will be tested further than 1400m for the first time on 22 March.

Pope Cody has one win and two placings this season for trainer Me Tsui. He comes into the BMW Hong Kong Derby following an eye-catching sixth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

David Eustace is represented with his first BMW Hong Kong Derby runners when Dazzling Fit and Seraph Gabriel feature. Dazzling Fit has won three times at Sha Tin and was a fine fifth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, while colt Seraph Gabriel – who also sports Marc & Lily Chan’s colours – placed at Royal Ascot pre-import.

Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The BMW Hong Kong Derby is the most prestigious contest on our calendar – a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and champion-making race that every owner aspires to win. This year marks the 149th running, boasting history dating back to 1873, and with an honour roll that speaks for itself, including 13-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior.

“Year after year, it is the race that produces our future stars and the 2026 edition shapes as another remarkable chapter in Hong Kong racing history, where some very talented horses will clash next Sunday at Sha Tin.”

The race is limited to 14 runners. The four reserves are: Windlord, Circuit Grand Slam, Aerodynamics and Glittering Legend.

BMW Hong Kong Derby 2026 – Priority To Start