The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races, a race meeting that has gained a reputation as the Turf World Championships, has been one of the most important fixtures for the world's leading horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. The 25th edition of the premier Hong Kong sporting event will be staged on 11 December 2011 at Sha Tin Racecourse, comprising four Group One events on turf worth a combined HK$68 million (approx. US$8.7m). (J J The Jet plane and Pierre Strydom, winners of the Spint in 2010)

CXHK CUP

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup was originally run as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup on 24 January 1988 when overseas entries were restricted to those from Malaysia and Singapore. Since then the number of countries and regions competing has increased significantly to include Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

The Invitation Cup was accorded international Group 3 status in February 1992 by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee and retitled the International Cup. In 1994, the Cup was upgraded to Group 2 status.

The Hong Kong International Cup was renamed the Hong Kong Cup in 1999 and at the same time was granted international Group 1 status, the first Hong Kong race to be so honoured. The distance of the race was also extended from 1800 metres to 2000 metres.

CXHK MILE

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile was originally run as the Hong Kong Invitation Bowl over 1400 metres in December 1991 to mark the staging of the 22nd Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong. It was renamed Hong Kong International Bowl in the second year.

The Hong Kong International Bowl was given the international Group 3 status in 1994 and was accorded Group 2 status in 1995. In 1999, the race was renamed the Hong Kong Mile and run over 1600 metres. In 2000, it was further upgraded to an international Group 1 event.

Prize money for the CXHK Mile has been increased from HK$16 million to HK$20 million this year, making it the equal of the CXHK Cup as Hong Kong’s richest horse race.

CXHK VASE

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase was originally run as the Hong Kong International Vase, which was introduced in December 1994 as a third International Race to encourage Hong Kong horse owners to import top-class stayers.

The Vase, run over 2400 metres, was accorded international Group 2 status in April 1996 by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee and was run as a Group 2 event for the first time on 8 December 1996. The race was renamed the Hong Kong Vase in 1999 so as to be in line with the Hong Kong Cup. In 2000, the Vase was further upgraded to an international Group 1 event.

CXHK SPRINT

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, formerly the Hong Kong Sprint, was added to the Hong Kong International Races in 1999. It was initially run as a Listed Race and was accorded international Group 3 status in 2000. It was then promoted to Group 2 status in 2001. In 2002, the Sprint was further upgraded to an international Group 1 event.

In 2006, the distance of the race was extended from 1000 metres to 1200 metres to enhance the quality of overseas runners. In the same year, the race has been the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

Cathay Pacific has been the title sponsor of the Hong Kong International Races since 2004.