Asian Mile Challenge

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In 2006 the world's best milers will pursue the largest collective stakes in horseracing history in the Asian Mile Challenge (AMC).

Group 1 races in Australia and Dubai will be added to the original events in Hong Kong and Japan to comprise a four-race, Asian-based mile series open to horses from all over the world and worth a cumulative US$12.6m in 2006.

Racing at the classic distance of a mile the AMC provides the opportunity to showcase horses of the highest quality in some of the great racetracks in the World. With 4 races in 3 months plus travel and quarantine, the AMC clearly is not for the faint-hearted. However, it will pit the best against the best in races that span the cultural and sporting capitals of Asia.

The expanded Asian Mile Challenge, hosted by four prominent members of the Asian Racing Federation, is set to become the most significant new development in the internationalisation of racing and will act as an ideal showcase for the quality of Asian, and indeed, world racing.

Total prize money available: Approx US$12.6 million

The inaugural Asian Mile Challenge in 2005 stemmed from an initiative by the Japan Racing Association and the Hong Kong Jockey Club to introduce an international series aimed at determining the world's best miler. This was in response to repeated calls from the Asian Racing Federation for its members to introduce a series within its jurisdictions. JRA & HKJC agreed that by introducing the inaugural challenge, that it would provide a new series with momentum to expand to other countries. A US$1million bonus for the winner of both the Champions Mile and the Yasuda Kinen was an added incentive for the world's best milers to take part.

The Champions Mile generated huge global interest as horses travelled from Australia, Japan and Great Britain to Sha Tin to tackle undefeated world champion sprinter Silent Witness as he stepped up to 1600m for the first time. And history was made as local mile champion Bullish Luck inflicted Silent Witness' first defeat in 18 starts.

Both horses, together with Bowman’s Crossing, then travelled to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen where Silent Witness was only run down close to hom e and finished a cl ose third to Asakusa De n 'en and Sweep Tosho from Japan with Bullish Luck in fourth place.

In 2006, as the Asian Mile Challenge extends to Australia and Dubai with a colossal US$12.6million up for grabs, the level of competition will become more intense and more globally diverse.

Are you up to the Challenge.