A Historic Legacy
1846, a pony called QUISKEEN was fittingly the first winner of the Ladies’ Purse.
The Ladies’ Purse race has a tradition earlier than the Chater Cup or Hong Kong derby.
It can be traced back to 38 years before the formation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Most Romantic Racing Tradition
1849-01-17 the first Ladies’ Purse race with officially result with winner recorded, of which the trophy race has been kept running.
1852 to1857, THE SHEIK won 5 Ladies’ Purse races, only missed in 1854.
1994 onwards, HKJC had invited renowned overseas lady jockeys to race for the event.
Recently, such invitation has not been continued due to the availability of female riders.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ladies’ Purse List of Winners in Recent years
| Race Date | Class | Dist. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
| 1981-02-07 | 3 | 1650 | SEA CORAL | Ward A. | Andrews B. |
| 1982-03-10 | 4 | 2000 | SPORTING CHANCE | Moore G. | Moore G.W. |
| 1983-02-23 | 6 | 1575 | RICE BOWL | Smyth G. | Rouse B. |
| 1984-02-08 | 3 | 1800 | SKY INN | Cheng T.C. | Paquet P. |
| 1985-04-03 | 4&5 | 2100 | RONDO KING | Ward A. | Lau C.H. |
| 1985-12-28 | 5 | 1800 | SKY BOUND | Fownes L. | Brosnan D. |
| 1987-03-18 | 4 | 1235 | PASTIME | Moore J. | Williams N. |
| 1987-12-30 | 3 | 1650 | TIM’S BILLION | Oughton D. | Brereton D. |
| 1988-12-28 | 3 | 1650 | JETSO | Cheung H.M. | Waldron P. |
| 1990-03-14 | 2&3 | 2230 | FIRE WIND | Fownes L. | Woods W. |
| 1990-12-19 | 3 | 1030 | CELESTIAL PARK | Fownes L. | Tse C.K. |
| 1991-12-18 | 3 | 1400 | LET IT RIDE | Lane G. | Brereton D. |
| 1992-12-23 | 1&2 | 1650 | NOBLE DANCER | Biancone P.L. | Mosse G. |
| 1994-01-12 | 2 | 1800 | CROWN COMMANDER | Fownes L. | Mosse G. |
| 1994-10-15 | 1&2 | 1800 | MISS PIGGY | Wong T.P. | Yim H.K. |
| 1995-10-14 | 1&2 | 1900 | DEAUVILLE | Biancone P.L. | Legrix E. |
| 1996-11-16 | 1 | 1800 | CHINA CRUISE | Fownes L. | Woods W. |
| 1997-11-15 | 1 | 1800 | FOREST SPRING | Biancone P.L. | Fradd R. |
| 1998-11-14 | 1 | 1800 | MULTI-STAR | Yiu P.F. | Boss G. |
| 1999-11-13 | 1&2 | 1400 | MADE TO FIGURE | Oughton D. | Whyte D. |
| 2000-11-12 | 1 | 1400 | PEAK POWER | Hill D. | Saint Martin E |
| 2001-11-18 | 1 | 1400 | PRIME WITNESS | Hayes D.A. | Dunn D. |
| 2002-11-10 | 1 | 1600 | HOUSEMASTER | Allan I.W. | Marwing W.C. |
| 2003-11-02 | P | 1200 | CHEERFUL FORTUNE | Leung T.W. | Williams C. |
| 2004-10-17 | 1 | 1800 | RUSSIAN PEARL | Cruz A.S. | Coetzee F. |
| 2005-10-16 | 1 | 1800 | WILLIE DETROY | Cruz A.S. | Coetzee F. |
| 2006-10-15 | 1 | 1800 | HELLO PRETTY | Cruz A.S. | Prebble B. |
| 2007-10-14 | 1 | 1800 | VIVA MACAU | Moore J. | Beadman D. |
| 2008-10-12 | 1 | 1800 | VIVA MACAU | Moore J. | Purton Z. |
| 2009-10-11 | 1 | 1800 | IRON FIST | Millard A.T. | Cheyne G. |
| 2010-10-17 | 1 | 1800 | VAUGIRARD | Hall D.J. | Prebble B. |
| 2011-10-16 | HKG3 | 1800 | JACOBEE | Moore J. | Clark T. |
| 2012-10-14 | HKG3 | 1800 | PACKING WHIZ | Moore J. | Prebble B. |
| 2013-11-03 | HKG3 | 1800 | ENDOWING | Size J. | Angland T. |
| 2014-11-09 | HKG3 | 1800 | PACKING LLAREGYB | A Schutz | M Demuro |
| 2015-11-08 | HKG3 | 1800 | TOP ACT | A T Millard | R Fourie |
| 2016-11-06 | HKG3 | 1800 | HORSE OF FORTUNE | A T Millard | K Teetan |
SUMMARY
Traditionally, the jockey, owner and trainer of the winning horse would be awarded gold sovereigns by a renowned lady.
A prize for winning jockey, as the name suggests, 21 gold sovereigns were contained inside a purse. At that time HKJC required jockeys could not receive prize money, the only exception to this event.
In addition to the prize, the jockey would have a chance to enjoy a lunch together with the lady after the presentation ceremony.
However, there were rumors that some winning riders’ wives might not be fond of such opportunities, so, many jockeys would prefer to give up to compete this race for avoiding their wives’ jealousy.
When Hong Kong racing turned professional in 1971, the custom of presenting gold sovereigns was dropped.
It was reintroduced in 1990, using a Hong Kong Lunar New Year gold coin instead of a sovereign.
It was once a valuable cigarette box, and is now gold coins inside a wallet.
There are 3 wallets inside the purse, which will be presented to the winning jockey, trainer and owner respectively.
Nowadays, a gold coin contained in a wallet will be presented to the winning jockey, owner and trainer.
2005-10-16, renamed as THE SA SA LADIES’ PURSE (HANDICAP) for its sponsor, so far.
REFERENCE
Most WinningJockey in recent years: Prebble B (3 times)
Most Winning Trainers in recent years: Fownes L (5 Times), Moore J. (5 Times)
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