Hong Kong Mile
Hong Kong Mile
Group One Betting Guide
Date: | December 12, 2021 |
Location: | Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong |
Distance: | 1600m |
Prize Money: | HK$25,000,000 |
The Hong Kong Mile – one of the four Group 1 titles that make up the annual Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) – is widely considered one of the greatest mile races in the world. Held every December, the HK$25,000,000 (AU$3.9m) feature is run at Sha Tin and has been won by some of Hong Kong’s greatest champion thoroughbreds.
Because of the large audience for the HKIR meeting, punters love betting into the big Hong Kong pools and the bookmakers have great fixed-odds prices available throughout the year. Betting on Hong Kong races is extremely popular in Australia and the Hong Kong Mile is one of the most exciting races of the year.
2022 Hong Kong Mile betting guide
Plucking the winner of the Hong Kong Mile can be tough, although some heavily backed and champion horses have won it in the past – including Good Ba Ba, who won it three successive years between 2007-09.
The race is traditionally won by mature horses with miles in their legs, as shown by 13 of the last 15 winners being five years or older. The only exceptions in recent years have been Maurice (4yo) in 2015 and then Admire Mars (3yo) in 2019.
The Hong Kong Mile sits alongside races like the Hong Kong Derby, Hong Kong Classic Cup and the Hong Kong Vase as some of the most popular races at racing betting sites.
Best bookmakers for Hong Kong Mile betting
All of HorseBetting’s recommended online bookmakers run markets for the Hong Kong Mile each year, including all-in and futures options. Check out the licensed betting sites below to find the best odds for the 2022 Hong Kong Mile.


Sport Table
2021 Hong Kong Mile nominations
2021 Hong Kong Mile Nominations | ||||
# | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aramayo (AUS) | G | 6 | Chris Waller |
2 | Hungry Heart (AUS) | M | 4 | Chris Waller |
3 | Pogo (IRE) | H | 5 | Charles Hills |
4 | Saffron Beach (IRE) | F | 3 | Jane Chapple-Hyam |
5 | Beauty Glory (GB) | G | 3 | A Cruz |
6 | Beauty Joy (AUS) | G | 5 | A Cruz |
7 | C P Brave (IRE) | G | 4 | A Millard |
8 | Champion’s Way (AUS) | G | 6 | J Size |
9 | Excellent Proposal (AUS) | G | 5 | J Size |
10 | Golden Sixty (FR) | G | 6 | K Lui |
11 | Healthy Happy (AUS) | G | 5 | F Lor |
12 | Ka Ying Star (GB) | G | 6 | A Cruz |
13 | Kilindini (SAF) | H | 5 | A Millard |
14 | Lucky Express (AUS) | G | 5 | J Size |
15 | Master Montaro (AUS) | G | 5 | D Hayes |
16 | More Than This (GB) | G | 5 | C Shum |
17 | Naboo Attack (AUS) | G | 5 | D Hayes |
18 | Preciousship (IRE) | G | 6 | P Yiu |
19 | Russian Emperor (IRE) | G | 4 | D Whyte |
20 | Seattle Choice (SAF) | G | 6 | A Millard |
21 | Sky Darci (NZ) | G | 5 | C Fownes |
22 | Sky Field (AUS) | G | 5 | C Fownes |
23 | Southern Legend (NZ) | G | 9 | C Fownes |
24 | Tourbillon Diamond (AUS) | G | 5 | C Shum |
25 | Waikuku (IRE) | G | 6 | J Size |
26 | Mac Swiney (IRE) | C | 3 | Jim Bolger |
27 | Mother Earth (IRE) | F | 3 | A P O’Brien |
28 | Order Of Australia (IRE) | C | 4 | A P O’Brien |
29 | Pearls Galore (FR) | F | 4 | Paddy Twomey |
30 | State of Rest (IRE) | C | 3 | Joseph O’Brien |
31 | Bathrat Leon (JPN) | C | 3 | Yoshito Yahagi |
32 | Cadence Call (JPN) | H | 5 | Takayuki Yasuda |
33 | Cape Pharoah (USA) | C | 4 | Noriyuki Hori |
34 | Danon Kingly (JPN) | H | 5 | Kiyoshi Hagiwara |
35 | Danon The Kid (JPN) | C | 3 | Takayuki Yasuda |
36 | Gibeon (JPN) | H | 6 | Hideaki Fujiwara |
37 | Gran Algeria (JPN) | M | 5 | Kazuo Fujisawa |
38 | Grenadier Guards (JPN) | C | 3 | Mitsumasa Nakauchida |
39 | Ho O Amazon (JPN) | C | 3 | Yoshito Yahagi |
40 | Indy Champ (JPN) | H | 6 | Hidetaka Otonashi |
41 | Lauda Sion (JPN) | C | 4 | Takashi Saito |
42 | Lei Paple (JPN) | F | 4 | Tomokazu Takano |
43 | Lotus Land (USA) | F | 4 | Yasuyuki Tsujino |
44 | Mikki Brillante (JPN) | H | 5 | Yasuyuki Tsujino |
45 | Resistencia (JPN) | F | 4 | Takeshi Matsushita |
46 | Salios (JPN) | C | 4 | Noriyuki Hori |
47 | Schnell Meister (GER) | C | 3 | Takahisa Tezuka |
48 | Shivaji (USA) | H | 6 | Kenji Nonaka |
49 | Vin De Garde (JPN) | H | 5 | Hideaki Fujiwara |
50 | Vollkommen (JPN) | G | 5 | Noriyuki Hori |
Previous Hong Kong Mile fields
No. Horse/Bred Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Beauty Generation D Hayes Z Purton 3 57 $9 2 Golden Sixty K Lui C Ho 7 57 $1.80 3 Admire Mars R Moore Y Tomomichi 10 57 $6 4 Ka Ying Star A Cruz C Schofield 9 57 $15 5 Southern Legend C Fownes K Teetan 6 57 $26 6 Waikuku J Size J Moreria 5 57 $9 7 Romanised K Condon W Lee 7 57 $17 8 Simply Brilliant F Lore K Leung 8 57 $67 9 Mighty Giant P Yiu A Badel 2 57 $26 10 Order Of Australia A P O’Brien P-C Boudot 1 56.5 $13 No. Horse/Bred Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Beauty Generation J Moore Z Purton 5 57 $2.90 2 Indy Champ H Otonashi D Lane 3 57 $2.90 3 Persian Knight Y Ikee O Murphy 6 57 $64 4 Waikuku J Size J Moreira 10 57 $3.90 5 Zaaki Sir M R Stoute R Moore 2 57 $130 6 Ka Ying Star A S Cruz K Teetan 1 57 $7.90 7 Simply Brilliant F C Lor A Badel 7 57 $99 8 Citron Spirit P F Yiu C Y Ho 8 57 $124 9 Admire Mars Y Tomomichi C Soumillom 4 56.5 $27 10 Normcore K Hagiwara C Lemaire 9 56.5 $14 No. Silks Horse/Bred Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Beauty Generation J Moore Z Purton 12 57 $1.85 2 Persain Knight Y Ikee M Demuro 14 57 $7.50 3 Comin’ Through C Waller M Walker 13 57 $41 4 Mozu Ascot Y Yahagi C Lemaire 2 57 $7.50 5 Beauty Only T Cruz H Bowman 9 57 $12 6 Beat The Bank A Balding O Murphy 5 57 $15 7 Fifty Fifty P Ho J McDonald 4 57 $26 8 Singapore Sling T Millard S de Sousa 6 57 $17 9 Southern Legend C Fownes D Whyte 10 57 $13 10 Inns Of Court A Fabre M Barzalona 3 57 $13 11 Nothingilikemore J Size J Moreira 11 57 $21 12 What Else But You J Size K Teetan 1 57 $51 13 One Master W Haggas R Moore 8 55.5 $15 14 Vivlos Y Tomomichi W Buick 7 55.5 $17 No. Silks Horse/Bred Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Beauty Only (IRE) Tony Cruz N Rawiller 12 57 $6.50 2 Helene Paragon (FR) John Moore J Bowman 2 57 $7.50 3 Contentment (AUS) John Size M Chadwick 8 57 $13 4 Satono Aladdin (JPN) Yasutoshi Ikee J Moreira 4 57 $8 5 Joyful Trinity (IRE) John Moore B Prebble 10 57 $41 6 Lightning Spear (GB) David Simcock Tommy Berry 1 57 $26 7 Seasons Bloom (Aus) Danny Shum S Pasquier 5 57 $3.80 8 Horse Of Fortune (SAF) Tony Millard F X Bertras 13 57 $34 9 Karar (GB) Francis-Henri Graffard G Mosse 3 57 $34 10 Beauty Generation (NZ) John Moore O Doleuze 9 57 $8.50 11 Sichuan Dar (AUS) Tony Millard S De Sousa 6 57 $67 12 Western Express (AUS) John Size S Clipperton 7 57 $26 13 Lancaster Bomber (USA) Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore 11 56.6 $12 14 Roly Poly (USA) Aidan O’Brien JA Heffernan 14 55 $7
Notable Hong Kong Mile winners
- Good Ba Ba
Good Ba Ba was an outstanding gelding which won three consecutive Hong Kong Miles. The 2008 Hong Kong Horse of the Year had a stellar career with 15 wins from 33 starts and it currently holds the the race-record time of 1:32.71 which was set in 2008. It won in 2007 and 2008 with trainer Andreas Schutz before being sent to the Derek Cruz stable for its third consecutive victory. - Sunline
Sunline won the 2000 Hong Kong Mile in what has become one of the most exciting races in history. The New Zealand-trained mare was well-backed to win at Sha Tin, despite failing in its previous attempt in 1999, but the two-time Cox Plate champion was in form during the spring and only Hong Kong champion Fairy King Prawn could push it close. The battle between Sunline and Fairy King Prawn was one for the ages as Sunline assumed its customary leaders role. Fairy King Prawn settled back during the run and made its charge around the home turn. It appeared as though the local hope would run Sunline down, but the Kiwi champion fought gamely and held on. “The mare of the world” call echoed around Sha Tin, giving New Zealand its biggest international win since Kiwi won the Japan Cup. - Jim And Tonic
Jim And Tonic was a world-class thoroughbred which won the 2008 Hong Kong Mile (Bowl) before winning the 2009 Hong Kong Cup. The French-trained champion won all around the world which included France, Hong Kong and Dubai. The globetrotting gelding clocked up more than 250 air miles throughout its career which was a testament to its guts and determination.
2020 Hong Kong Mile result
1st | Golden Sixty | $1.30 |
2nd | Southern Legend | $4.10 |
3rd | Admire Mars | $1.60 |
Recent runnings of the Hong Kong Mile
- Having been sent around a $1.30 hot pot, Golden Sixty rewarded those punters who took the short odds with an emphatic victory. Having hit the front with 200m to go, he simply never looked like getting beaten and in doing so brought up an 11th straight win.
- Beauty Generation was aiming to string together three wins in the HK Mile, however it was Admire Mars that got the better of the superstar galloper and other market fancies. Admire Mars took over from Beauty Generation with 100 metres to go and powered through the line to claim another feature for Japanese trainers on a day where Japanese gallopers had a field day. Waikuku had to settle for second after a massive run to just miss, and Beauty Generation had to settle for third after tiring during the concluding stages.
- Beauty Generation went back-to-back in the Hong Kong Mile in what was one of the most dominant victories in HKIR history. Jockey Zac Purton didn’t press the issue out of the gate dispute jumping from a tricky barrier but once the field settled Beauty Generation took to the head of affairs and was never headed. Vivlos and Southern Legend rounded out the placings but they were in a race of their own.
- Another front-running ride on HKIR delivered as Beauty Generation won the Mile from start to finish. Derek Leung had to push the horse along out of the gates but the galloper settled nicely after finding the lead and was never headed, booting away in the concluding stages to record a comfortable victory.
- Beauty Only continued a stunning night for Zac Purton who had already won aboard Aerovelocity in the Hong Kong Sprint. The quality runner was produced to the outside by Purton and it sprinted past race-favourite Able Friend to record a good victory over fellow Australian Hugh Bowman who rode Helene Paragon. Joyful Trinity held on well for third in front of Contentment which raced well. Read the full report here.
- Maurice came of age when winning in 2015 and the local runner had the crowd cheering. With Ryan Moore in the saddle, Maurice was too good for its opposition and it edged out Giant Treasure and race-favourite Able Friend which couldn’t go back-to-back in the Mile. Maurice paid $4 with bookmakers and it since continued to perform well on the world stage.
- Able Friend was one of the shortest priced winners of the Hong Kong Mile and one of the most impressive. The John Moore-trained runner paid $1.30 with bookmakers and romped home by 4.25 lengths over Gold-Fun and outsider Grand Prix Boss. It couldn’t back that win up in 2015, but its win in 2014 will remain in the history books.
- Glorious Days created an upset in 2013 for trainer John Size. It was formerly trained by Stephen and Trevor McKee in New Zealand, but it went to Hong Kong and won the Mile at odds of $14 after finishing second in 2012. It was the highlight of its career in beating Gold-Fun by 0.75 lengths, but the then six=year-old failed to continue on with that success.
- Ambitious Dragon was a well-fancied runner in 2012 and it got the job done well. The six-year-old by Pins won with Australia’s Zuc Purton in the saddle and it carried plenty of support in the betting at $4.90. 2013 winner Glorious Days finished second with long-shot Packing OK ($11.50 to place) survived a protest lodged by the connections of Gordon Lord Byron in fourth.
- Able One scored one of the biggest upsets in the race’s history when winning at odds of $42.80. The John Moore-trained gelding was a ripe nine-year-old which had one more big race win left in it. The son of Cape Cross wasn’t expected to beat the likes of New Zealand Derby winner Jimmy Choux and Hong Kong runner Xtension, but it held off all challengers in a desperately tight finish.
Hong Kong Mile past winners list
Year | Hong Kong Mile Past Winners |
---|---|
2020 | Golden Sixty |
2019 | Admire Mars |
2018 | Beauty Generation |
2017 | Beauty Generation |
2016 | Beauty Only |
2015 | Maurice |
2014 | Able Friend |
2013 | Glorious Days |
2012 | Ambitious Dragon |
2011 | Able One |
2010 | Beauty Flash |
2009 | Good Ba Ba |
2008 | Good Ba Ba |
2007 | Good Ba Ba |
2006 | The Duke |
2005 | Hat Trick |
2004 | Firebreak |
2003 | Lucky Owners |
2002 | Olympic Express |
2001 | Eishin Preston |
2000 | Sunline |
1999 | Docksider |
1998 | Jim And Tonic |
1997 | Catalan Opening |
1996 | Monopolize |
1995 | Monopolize |
1994 | Soviet Line |
1993 | Winning Partners |
1992 | Glen Kate |
1991 | Additional Risk |