Hong Kong PP and PPG permits explained for owners

By the Silk Road Bloodstock team · 20 October 2026

Racehorses and jockeys in the starting gates before a race — Ready to race. Photo (illustrative): Rennett Stowe, CC BY 2.0

In Hong Kong, owners can only import a racehorse if they hold a permit issued by the Hong Kong Jockey Club through an annual ballot. A PP permit is for a horse that has already raced overseas and must meet a minimum rating. A PPG permit is for an unraced horse, often called a griffin. Permits are limited, so owners who win one need to find the right horse quickly.

PP and PPG: the difference

PP (Private Purchase): a horse that has raced outside Hong Kong. It must be assessed at or above a minimum Hong Kong rating. Figures reported in 2021 were a minimum of 63 for a standard PP and 80 for a special replacement permit.
PPG (Private Purchase Griffin): an unraced horse, usually a young horse bought at a sale or privately.

Rating minimums and permit rules are set by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and can change from season to season. Always check the current figures with the Club and your trainer before buying.

How the ballot works

The Hong Kong Jockey Club allocates import permits through an annual ballot. In the 2025 ballot there were 120 PP permits and 340 PPG permits. Demand is high: over 700 owners apply each year. Applications have typically opened in March and April, with results announced in June. Owners on the reserve list can be promoted to a permit later, which often means they need to find a suitable horse at short notice.

Incentives for higher-rated imports

The Club has offered incentives to attract better horses. For example, a HK$1.5 million bonus was reported for PP imports rated 70 or above. Check the current incentive scheme for the season you are importing in.

What makes a horse suit Hong Kong

Hong Kong racing at Sha Tin and Happy Valley rewards speed. Trainers and owners often look for:

Sprinters and milers, rather than stayers.
Younger horses, often three or four years old, with room to improve.
Form strong enough to clear the PP rating minimum with a margin.
A clean vetting, since horses face a long journey and strict quarantine.

Import and quarantine

Imports need a permit from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), issued under a health protocol agreed with the exporting country. Quarantine takes place at Hong Kong Jockey Club facilities. Your shipper and trainer will coordinate the paperwork and timing.

How we help permit holders

We search Europe's sales and private yards for horses that match your trainer's brief and the rating requirements, prepare a shortlist with form, ratings, video and vetting, and coordinate the purchase and shipping. If you are entering the next ballot, or have just been promoted from the reserve list, contact the team early.

Sources

Holding a Hong Kong permit?

Contact the team on WhatsApp and we will start searching for a horse that fits your trainer's brief.

WhatsApp the team