As Hong Kong Vase Anticipation Builds, Racing Enthusiasts Nostalgic With Flashback to 2003’s Winner

Each year, the Hong Kong Vase is one of the premier group 1 horse races held for thoroughbreds ages three and above at Sha Tin. This race was established in 1994 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 2000 making it one of the Hong Kong International Races. It is the most expensive race in this category with approximately US$2.8 million purse. It is very famous for attracting elite horses worldwide and is one of the most anticipated horse racing events on the calendar.

As the Hong Kong race is just around the corner, it’s like a time bomb has to be disarmed. However, in the middle of all this excitement, the horse racing fraternity remembers nostalgically a timeless classic, an immortal legend; the 2003 Hong Kong Vase winner.

Unpredictable triumphs in horse racing

World Horse Racing recently shared a captivating video on X highlighting a moment worth cherishing. The footage captured the thrilling 2003 Hong Kong race where the beloved Vallee Enchantee secured an astonishing victory in an unpredictable fashion. Accompanied by the caption, ‘The little French filly that conquered the Hong Kong Vase!’

The 2003 Hong Kong Vase was won by a tiny French filly of only 815 pounds named Vallee Enchantee, who looked like a midget when compared to her opponents. The win of Vallee Enchantee demonstrated that greatness and success don’t discriminate by size. “You can get a 1,300-pound Group One winner, but you can get a 900-and-something pound winner too – size doesn’t matter really, it’s about balance and heart,” Lee trainer of Vallee said. Nevertheless, it is necessary to mention some of the other famous winners.

Historical milestones in Hong Kong racing

Aidan O’Brien is the trainer who has clinched the highest number of wins (3) in the Longines Hong Kong Vase; Peslier also leads in the category of jockeys boasting an impressive total of 4 wins. Some of the famous horses include Luso, doctor Dino, Highland Reel and Glory Vase all of which won twice in this Vase. The last year’s Longines Hong Kong vase was won by the Dunaden – a Melbourne Cup winner. On the other hand, some of the European three-year-olds such as the Vallee Enchantee and The Highland Reel had won the race earlier and came second after Winx in the Cox Plate won the vase.

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Some other major winners in subsequent years included Red Cadeaux and Exultant. Win Marilyn claimed the 2022 Longines Hong Kong Vase for HK$24 million valued in 2023, defeating Botanik and Glory Vase who have all have left a mark in horse racing

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