2026 Hong Kong Derby: Power Rankings, January 13
After a weekend that saw a host of leading contenders in action at Sha Tin, the Idol Horse experts have re-ranked the Derby hopefuls and delivered a Top 14 that includes a few movers and some new additions to the list.
2026 Hong Kong Derby: Power Rankings, January 13
After a weekend that saw a host of leading contenders in action at Sha Tin, the Idol Horse experts have re-ranked the Derby hopefuls and delivered a Top 14 that includes a few movers and some new additions to the list.
13 January, 2026Idol Horse’s team of Hong Kong racing experts has assessed last weekend’s action and each ranked their top 14 candidates for the BMW Hong Kong Derby, the result being a couple of movers and two new horses coming into the list.
Zac Purton’s decision to ride Sagacious Life in the Hong Kong Classic Mile on February 1 has had an effect, but one of the horses he turned down, Invincible Ibis, has cemented his place at the top, regardless.
After last week’s flurry of Derby contenders in racing action, the upcoming Sha Tin fixture will be quieter, but there are still Derby clues to be gleaned, with trainer David Eustace’s interesting import Glittering Legend entered to get his Hong Kong career off the ground.
The sidelining of leading candidates Bulb General, Sky Jewellery and Massive Contender reduced the depth of the 2026 cohort, but the top three in the rankings at least look strong.
Here are the horses our experts rank as the Top 14 currently in contention for the race around which Hong Kong racing revolves.
1. Invincible Ibis
Previous Ranking: 1
Trainer: Mark Newnham
Rating: 91
Record: 7:4-2-1
Invincible Ibis retains his position at the top of the rankings even though Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton has deserted him for a rival. The gelding’s status was enhanced last Sunday thanks to a very smart win in the important Class 3 over a mile, a race restricted to four-year-olds. Invincible Ibis quickened smartly and closed off strongly, easing down a touch close home to suggest there’s more to come. Hugh Bowman was in the saddle and has been booked for the Classic Cup and the Hong Kong Derby, too, with trainer Mark Newnham saying of his horse: “I think it was his best win.”
2. Sagacious Life (↑1)
Previous Ranking: 3
Trainer: Pierre Ng
Rating: 97
HK Record: 3:2-0-0
Previous Name: Navio Fantasma
Purton has locked in Sagacious Life as his Classic Mile mount, though he is not yet committed for the remaining two legs of the Classic Series, with a whole lot riding on how the Brazilian import fares in the February 1 contest. Purton outlined his reasoning to Idol Horse, noting that the G1 Derby Paulista winner has the highest rating, and among his two Hong Kong wins from three starts is an impressive Class 2 triumph over a mile, for which he carried top-weight of 130lb. All of that sees Pieeerre Ng’s big hope rise a place without leaving his stable.
3. Little Paradise (↓1)
Previous Ranking: 2
Trainer: Jimmy Ting
Rating: 95
Record: 8:5-1-1
Purton steered Little Paradise to an impressive win on Sunday but that wasn’t enough to sway him away from Sagacious Life and his decision – plus some stamina doubts – knocks Jimmy Ting’s stable star down a place. The bay raced seventh with cover, ranged up on the outside, quickened easily and was eased through the final couple of strides. Vincent Ho has been booked for the Classic Series and told Idol Horse, “He’s up and coming and he showed ability already last season; he’s won over 1200 and 1400 and I think there’s no problem for the mile, but after that we’ll get an idea about the Derby distance.”
4. Numbers
Previous Ranking: 4
Trainer: Frankie Lor
Rating: 90
HK Record: 2:1-0-1
Previous Name: King Of Thunder
With no stamina concerns, Numbers remains in a solid fourth position. The Australian import was second in last year’s G1 Queensland Derby over 2400 metres and that makes him an interesting candidate among a crop of horses largely lacking that trait – or at least unproven over a trip. He also possesses the ability to lead and win, as he showed over the Derby course and distance last time, making all and continuing to find more in the home straight.
5. Dazzling Fit
Previous Ranking: 5
Trainer: David Eustace
Rating: 75
Record: 8:3-1-1
There’s no movement in fifth place either. Dazzling Fit is a solid Derby prospect at this stage – he’s a tough and reliable sort rather than a dazzler, but that could be his biggest strength. David Eustace’s “professional” gelding is already hardened to Hong Kong racing and last time out he headed the market in front of Invincible Ibis, only to run a respectable fifth to that rival. Eustace has opted to freshen him into the Classic Mile.
6. Top Dragon
Previous Ranking: 6
Trainer: Chris So
Rating: 81
Record: 11:3-3-2
Top Dragon is another non-mover at six and he has earned his spot in the top half of the rankings. Like Dazzling Fit, Chris So’s prospect is not one to set the pulse racing but he too gained valuable Hong Kong experience last season and has built on that platform this term. Last time out he chased home Sagacious Life when third in a 1600m Class 2 contest and that bodes well for his future.
7. Beauty Bolt
Previous Ranking: 7
Trainer: Tony Cruz
Rating: 85
Record: 7:2-3-1
Previous Name: Thunder Song
Beauty Bolt has settled in seamlessly to Hong Kong racing since winning his sole start in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien. The Kwok family’s leading Derby hope has shown in his last three races that he is not one to be overlooked and is a little unlucky to be outside the top five. After winning a Class 3 at a mile, he was a narrow second to Dazzling Fit when conceding 9lb to that rival. And he showed his merits again last Sunday when a neck behind Invincible Ibis, carrying 1lb less.
8. Public Attention
Previous Ranking: 8
Trainer: David Hayes
Rating: 83
HK Record: 3:0-1-1
Previous Name: Public Attention
The grey colt is without a win in Hong Kong but his three runs so far suggest that must change at some point. Second on debut, third second-up, and his latest effort was a good fourth in Sunday’s Class 2 behind Little Paradise. Public Attention’s form in Australia – a win in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes over 1200m and fifth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas – show that he has the requisite class to be in the mix, now he has to prove his ability to win at a mile and beyond.
9. Helene Supafeeling
Previous Ranking: 9
Trainer: David Eustace
Rating: 79
HK Record: 2:1-0-0
Previous Name: Port Light
Helene Supafeeling posted a smart Hong Kong debut win over 1200m on ‘International Day’ in mid-December but was unable to follow up last Sunday when fifth in a Class 3 handicap over 1400m. He bagged two minor wins at a mile in Britain where he also faced some high-class rivals when beaten in the Listed King Charles II Stakes. Not to be written off just yet, but the Derby’s 2000m trip might be a concern.
10. Glittering Legend (NEW)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Trainer: David Eustace
Rating: 78
HK Record: 0:0-0-0
Previous Name: Glittering Legend
An interesting dark horse has entered the list ahead of his Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin this Sunday. On the one hand Glittering Legend’s barrier trials have not been particularly eye-catching, but on the other the gelding has not been asked to do a lot. He does have decent credentials, too: he won four of seven starts in Britain, including a mile Listed race, and capped his time there with third-place in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Group 1 performers Trinity College and Tornado Alert.
11. Windlord (↑1)
Previous Ranking: 12
Trainer: Cody Mo
Rating: 80
HK Record: 1:0-0-0
Previous Name: Windlord
Windlord looks a solid type judging by his barrier trials and a first-up fifth over a mile behind Sagacious Life. Highly-tried in Europe by trainer Andrew Balding, placing in the G2 Beresford Stakes in Ireland and finishing down the field in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James’s Palace Stakes. Has proven his stamina already with a Listed win at around 2000 metres and placing third in a mile and a half Group 3, but needs to show he has pace too if he’s to climb the Derby rankings.
12. Infinite Resolve (NEW)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Trainer: Mark Newnham
Rating: 84
HK Record: 8:1-3-2
Previous Name: Deconstruction
A strong-closing second behind Little Paradise over 1400m at the weekend sees Infinite Resolve climb into the rankings. Mark Newnham’s charge never looked like getting past the winner, but the way he made up ground from off the pace at his first attempt beyond 1200m in Hong Kong suggested he’s a horse that has upside over more ground.
13. Fit For Beauty (↓3)
Previous Ranking: 10
Trainer: John Size
Rating: 65
Record: 6:2-1-0
Fit For Beauty was 10th in the first edition of the rankings thanks to a couple of wins this term. But his plain sixth in the race won by Invincible Ibis last Sunday sees him slide down and he’ll need a good performance next time if he’s to keep his place.
14. Seraph Gabriel (NEW)
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Trainer: David Eustace
Rating: 76
HK Record: 1:0-0-0
Seraph Gabriel’s second over 2000m in the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot made him an interesting runner first-up at Sha Tin over 1400m on January 4. He endured a tough run in the straight before boxing on to 11th. That kept him out of the initial edition of this year’s rankings, but the current thinness of this cohort’s tail end and the lure of the Ascot run, mean he’s squeaked into the Top 14 this week.
