The domestic flat season may have ended in October, but the international highlights continue through December and into the new year. Sunday sees the biggest race of Hong Kong’s racing year, with the 2025 edition of the Hong Kong Vase.
First run in 1994, this 1m4f turf contest gained Group 1 status in 2000 and has compiled an impressive roll of honour in its relatively short history. Previous winners include Ed Dunlop’s superstar mare, Ouija Board, Aidan O’Brien’s globetrotting legend Highland Reel, and French ace Daliapour.
Overall, this has been an excellent race for the European raiders, with 22 of the first 31 editions falling to a runner from Britain, Ireland, or France. With six European challengers included in the final 11-runner field, there is a strong chance that record will improve still further in 2025. Leading the charge is a British contender who produced a career-best effort to claim the £1.3 million top prize in 2024.
Botti Ace to Join List of Multiple Winners?
Clive Brittain’s Luso (1995, 1996) became the first dual winner of the Hong Kong Vase, and has since been joined by Doctor Dino (2007, 2008), Highland Reel (2015, 2017), and Glory Vase (2019, 2021). Marco Botti’s 2024 winner Giavellotto bids to add his name to that list in 2025.
Now six years old, this son of Mastercraftsman has served connections with distinction since making a winning debut back in 2021. Predominantly campaigned as a stayer between 2022 and 2024, he bagged back-to-back wins in the Yorkshire Cup in 2023 and 2024.
Since that latter success, he has raced only once over 1m6f but has been a revelation over 1m4f. Running out an impressive winner of the 2024 Princess of Wales’s Stakes, he then produced a stunning late burst to land this contest.
A little below par on his seasonal return, he has stepped forward in his two most recent outings. Too good for Kalpana in the September Stakes, he was last sighted finishing an excellent fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Joint favourite with most bookmakers, he has every chance of defending his crown.
Andrew Balding’s Eydon also lines up for Britain. Yet to win at Group 1 level, he can’t match Giavellotto’s credentials but has the services of last year’s winning rider, Oisin Murphy.
Los Angeles to Take O’Brien into the Record Books
Heading into the 2025 edition, Aidan O’Brien has three previous Hong Kong Vase wins to his name. That tally places him joint top of the leaderboard alongside French handler Andre Fabre.
Both O’Brien and Fabre are represented in 2025 as they bid to win the race to four wins in this one overall. Flying the flag for Ballydoyle is a four-year-old who enjoyed an excellent Classic campaign but has experienced a dip in form in recent outings.
Fresh from his win in the International Jockeys’ Championship, Ryan Moore takes the ride aboard 2024 Irish Derby winner and Arc third, Los Angeles. This year began well for the Camelot colt, with successive wins in the Mooresbridge Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup. However, he has failed to hit the frame in four starts since, including when last of 17 in the Arc last time. This will be his final start before heading off to life at stud, but he will need to rediscover something like his best to have a winning chance.
The Irish challenge is completed by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Riffa. This five-year-old by Wootton Bassett is rated 1lb below Al Riffa but has been in much better form in recent outings. The Melbourne Cup didn’t go to plan, but he had previously run out an impressive winner of the Curragh Cup and Irish St. Leger. Already a Group 1 winner over this trip in the 2024 Grosser Preis von Berlin, he gives Breeders’ Cup-winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle a realistic shot at further international success.
Arc Third a Big Threat for France
The most recent of France’s impressive haul of 11 Hong Kong Vase wins came courtesy of the Andre Fabre-trained Junko in 2024. Sosie represents the Chantilly legend this year and looks like a major threat. A three-time Group 1 winner, he finished one place ahead of Giavellotto when third in the Arc last time out. Given a break since that October effort, the four-year-old could go close with Maxime Guyon in the saddle.
With two horses in the top three in the Longines World Rankings, including number 1 performer Calandagan, this has been a year to remember for Francis-Henri Graffard. With Arc winner Daryz and Calandagan now on their winter break, Graffard relies on 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath at Sha Tin. The five-year-old needs to bounce back from an underwhelming effort at the Breeders’ Cup but looked good when winning the Grosser Preis von Baden on his previous outing.
Will the European trainers add to their formidable record in this event, or will an Eastern team, led by Urban Chic, claim top spot? 6:10pm on Sunday is the time to find out.
