HKJC says ‘Premier Series’ to encourage owners to make purchases
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) will introduce additional bonus payments for high-rated imports during their four-year-old season in Hong Kong, starting from 2026/27.
These bonuses will be paid to PPs with an import rating of 70 or above racing in the new Premier Series, namely all Class 3 and above races run over distances of 1400m and beyond in the period from the start of the season to the end of April.
“The Club is firmly committed to continuously enhancing the ownership proposition and improving the quality of our world-class horse population,” Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing Andrew Harding said.
MORE: Hong Kong racing guide
“We feel this initiative builds on the successful PP Bonus by adding a further level of recognition for these owners who make the outlay to secure high-rated imports.
“We recognise that the market for these horses is ultra-competitive and the Premier Series bonus is a means by which the Club can assist owners sourcing horses in this market.”
Eligible horses can earn up to HK$1 million in Premier Series top-up bonuses. Bonuses are allocated as follows: HK$500,000 (first place), HK$300,000 (second) and HK$200,000 (third) per race.
For horses rated 70 or higher who began the season as a Southern Hemisphere four-year-old, or reach that age in January as a Northern Hemisphere four-year-old, which win twice in Class 3 or above at 1400m and beyond before 30 April, connections will receive a maximum of HK$1 million (2x HK$500,000) from the Premier Series allocation.
The Premier Series bonus payments are in addition to existing PP Bonus payments, which reward PPs with bonuses of HK$1.5 million for their first win in Class 3 and a further HK$1.5 million for their first win in Class 2 or above.
The Premier Series bonus payments boost the maximum possible bonus amount for PPs to HK$4 million.
So far throughout the 2025/26 racing season (as of March 16), the Club has rewarded Owners with a total of HK$64.5 million in individual bonuses with 38 (HK$61.5 million) PP (Privately Purchased Horse) Bonuses and 3 (HK$3 million) PPG (Privately Purchased Griffin) Bonuses achieved.
Applications for the current Horse Ballot opened on Monday (March 2), with a total of 460 horse import permits on offer, including 120 PP and 340 PPG permits. Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, April 14.
