Horse Racing

Macau Gold Cup

The Macau Gold Cup is the last leg of the Macau Triple Crown. While the preceding two races, the Macau Guineas and the Macau Derby, only entered the series in its second running in 2009, the Gold Cup is the only race that was also part of the inaugural 2008 season. The Macau Gold Cup - in fact the entire Macau Triple Crown series - is run at Taipa Racecourse annually in late May.

The Macau Triple Crown is unique for two reasons: It is the youngest Triple Crown series in the world, having only been introduced in 2008; and it is open to four-year-old thoroughbreds, whereas all other Triple Crown series are restricted to thoroughbreds aged three.

Interestingly the Macau Gold Cup offers a less valuable purse than the second leg of the series, the Macau Derby. While the Derby awards HK$2.6 million - an almost ludicrous amount of money - as a total prize fund, the Macau Gold Cup is worth a comparatively meagre HK$1.3. However, there is a bonus to be head in the Gold Cup. HK$1 million is added to the prize money won by a horse to win all three races. Thus far, however, there has not yet been a Macau Triple Crown champion.

In 2009 Sunshine Sure Win took the win in the Macau Guineas and the Macau Derby, but failed to score again in the Macau Gold Cup. The runner received a consolation prize of HK$500,000 - a show of goodwill from the Macau Jockey Club, who are still trying to improve their new favourite series and increase its popularity.

Recent Winners of the Macau Gold Cup: