No single horse dominated the Asian Mile Challenge in 2008, but we can still reflect on four brilliant individual races and, even better, look forward to much stronger competition next year now that the bonus system has been revamped to encourage a greater spread of competition across its four constituent races.

Offering the best collective prize-money the sport has to offer since its inauguration in 2005, the AMC has helped created international legends of the turf. Bullish Luck and Admire Moon stand out from its early years and last year they were joined by Niconero in Australia, the South African-trained Jay Peg in the Dubai Duty Free, Good Ba Ba for Hong Kong in the Champions Mile and Vodka’s cruise for the home team in the Yasuda Kinen.     

All told, nine of the 14 AMC events since its inception have been shared by founding partners Hong Kong (five wins) and Japan (four). Australian horses have retained all three renewals of the Futurity Stakes since it turned international and only the US$5m Dubai Duty Free has gone to a horse trained outside the home nations, namely David Junior’s success for Britain in the Dubai Duty Free of 2006.

A restructuring of the AMC bonus system and a 50 per cent cash injection to the Champions Mile in Hong Kong looks set to ensure even stronger fields in 2009.

Up until now, owners have been the exclusive recipients of the US$1m bonus for two series’ victories - owner Wong Wing-keung via Bullish Luck in 2006 is the sole beneficiary to date. 

From next year, however, trainers will be factored directly into the reward system for the AMC. 

Trainers of the winners of two legs will receive US$250,000