Distance encoding is one of the first schema decisions analysts encounter when working across racing jurisdictions. HK and UK use different measurement systems, different typical distances, and different encoding conventions. Understanding this upfront prevents a common source of query errors.
Hong Kong: Metres
All HK racing distances are measured in metres. The standard distances at Sha Tin and Happy Valley are: 1000m, 1200m, 1400m, 1600m, 1650m (Happy Valley only), 1800m, 2000m, 2200m, 2400m. In our schema, the distance field for HK races contains the integer metre value. The 1650m Happy Valley distance is distinct from the 1600m Sha Tin mile and should be treated as a separate distance category in course-distance models.
UK: Furlongs and Miles
UK distances are measured in furlongs (1 furlong = 201.168 metres) with a base unit of half a furlong. Distances range from 5f (sprint) to over 4m (extreme staying distances in National Hunt). Our schema stores both the canonical string representation (“1m2f”, “5f212y”) and a normalised decimal in furlongs for numeric comparison and grouping. This allows distance-range queries without string parsing.
Cross-Market Queries
If you are comparing pace data across HK and UK — for example, studying speed ratings at equivalent metric distances — you need the normalised decimal field, not the canonical string, as the join key. Both markets include this field in our schema. Full documentation is available in the data dictionary provided to all subscribers.
View available datasets or access historical exports for bulk distance-normalised data.
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