The 2025 Hong Kong Vase will take place on Sunday 14 December and the Group 1 prize has attracted a truly international field, with plenty of British, Irish and French interest at the whole meeting. In the big contest itself over 1m4f, Giavellotto will bid to defend the title he won so impressively for Marco Botti last year. The six-year-old was last seen finishing a game fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
For Ireland, Los Angeles looks set to bid for a fourth top tier success and bring about a grand finale to his career before retiring to stud. As well as Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old, son Joseph looks set to have a participant in Al Riffa. The Melbourne Cup top-weight and favourite was not disgraced in seventh at Flemington from a wide draw and was himself an easy Group 1 winner when storming away with the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.
British interest is bolstered further by Eydon for Andrew Balding. His six-year-old has succeeded on international waters most recently, winning the Group 2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club at San Siro racecourse in Italy and would be bidding for a debut Group 1. The French hand may even be stronger as Goliath, the former King George winner at Ascot, and Sosie, this year’s Arc third and a three-time winner at the highest level.
Meanwhile, in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup, perhaps the greatest racehorse on the planet is set to line up in Romantic Warrior, who seeks an unprecedented fourth straight victory in the race. Once again, there is interest for these shores though as Joseph O’Brien sends Galen across to try and cause an almighty upset. The son of Gleneagles was last seen finishing second in the Bahrain International Trophy.
The Group 1 Hong Kong Mile is probably the most open of the three feature contests hosting European challengers. Docklands looks to back up his Royal Ascot success from earlier this year with a global victory for Harry Eustace, while Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter was last seen at the Breeders’ Cup and will join Los Angeles on the plane. Beauvatier, for French trainer Yann Barberot, completes the raiding party.
Hong Kong Vase European Runners
| Horse | Trainer |
| Al Riffa | Joseph O’Brien |
| Eydon | Andrew Balding |
| Giavellotto | Marco Botti |
| Goliath | Francis-Henri Graffard |
| Los Angeles | Aidan O’Brien |
| Sosie | Andre Fabre |
Hong Kong Cup European Runners
| Horse | Trainer |
| Galen | Joseph O’Brien |
Hong Kong Mile European Runners
| Horse | Trainer |
| Beauvatier | Yann Barberot |
| Docklands | Harry Eustace |
| The Lion In Winter | Aidan O’Brien |
FAQs: Hong Kong International Races
When & where is the Hong Kong Vase run?
The Hong Kong Vase and every race on the card are held at Sha Tin on Hong Kong on Sunday 14 December. The Vase will begin at 6.10am UK time.
Who won last year’s Hong Kong Vase?
The defending champion in the Hong Kong Vase is the British-trained Giavellotto, who will seek to retain his title.
Where can I watch the Hong Kong Group 1s?
All three races above can be viewed live on Sky Sports Racing in the UK.