https://www.scmp.com/rss/500575/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jay Rooney Jay Rooney The record number of tourists who descended on Sha Tin on Sunday were treated to another dominant display from superstar Ka Ying Rising, music from a K-pop star and a race meeting Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges called one of the “best ever in Hong Kong”. On a day when the city’s elite proved more than a match for the rest, the 13,000 visitors who made the trip from mainland China watched the horse considered the best sprinter there is take an incredible 20th consecutive victory,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351494/record-tourist-numbers-flock-one-best-race-meetings-ever-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3351494/record-tourist-numbers-flock-one-best-race-meetings-ever-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:37:27 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney David Hayes hailed Ka Ying Rising “one of the best horses I’ve ever seen” and “one of the all-time greats” after the champion sprinter smashed his own track record again in a 20th consecutive victory in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m). Extending his record win streak with consummate ease, Ka Ying Rising exploded clear to beat Japan’s top sprinter Satono Reve by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:07.10 – 0.02 seconds quicker than his track record set earlier this month. “In the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351483/david-hayes-hails-ka-ying-rising-one-best-horses-ive-ever-seen-after-chairmans-sprint-prize-romp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351483/david-hayes-hails-ka-ying-rising-one-best-horses-ive-ever-seen-after-chairmans-sprint-prize-romp?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:13:25 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior headline Sunday’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin when the Hong Kong champions bid to extend their unbeaten records this season and repel a strong overseas contingent. First and second in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior will be short-priced favourites to win the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) respectively at the city’s second-biggest race day on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351427/star-gallopers-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-headline-exciting-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351427/star-gallopers-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-headline-exciting-champions-day-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:01:38 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Derek Leung Ka-chun is counting his blessings as he gears up for huge Group One rides on Lucky Sweynesse and Numbers at Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin. The 37-year-old has tasted Group One glory on two occasions, winning the 2017 Hong Kong Mile on Beauty Generation and the 2024 Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) on Victor The Winner, but a Group One Champions Mile success on Lucky Sweynesse would perhaps eclipse both in terms of popularity. The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained galloper, who won... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351413/derek-leung-feeling-lucky-he-prepares-ride-group-one-pair-lucky-sweynesse-and-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351413/derek-leung-feeling-lucky-he-prepares-ride-group-one-pair-lucky-sweynesse-and-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:00:28 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney For a brief moment in December’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), Hugh Bowman thought he was a chance of ending champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak aboard Helios Express. “Mid-race I sort of thought I was travelling so well, I had the track bias in my favour and I started to think I’m going to blouse down the outside and win at the 500m mark,” Bowman said. “Of course, he battled home for fifth. It was probably his worst result since he’s raced against Ka Ying Rising.” That... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351399/hugh-bowman-wont-change-helios-express-usual-pattern-latest-clash-ka-ying-rising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351399/hugh-bowman-wont-change-helios-express-usual-pattern-latest-clash-ka-ying-rising?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:32:42 +0000 Olivia O'Sullivan Olivia O'Sullivan Champion jockey Christophe Lemaire is looking forward to the “exciting challenge” of taking on Romantic Warrior when he lines up against him aboard Masquerade Ball in Sunday’s highly anticipated Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin. Lemaire believes Masquerade Ball has the potential to become “one of the greatest in Japanese horse racing” after proving himself on home soil against top-class horses as a three-year-old when winning the Group One Tenno Sho last November. The Frenchman, who is an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351286/christophe-lemaire-eager-masquerade-balls-exciting-challenge-against-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351286/christophe-lemaire-eager-masquerade-balls-exciting-challenge-against-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:29:32 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Mark Newnham is looking to cap off an already “brilliant” season when My Wish and Invincible Ibis break from barriers 10 and five respectively in Sunday’s Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin. One of three Group One races at Sha Tin, the Champions Mile has a wide-open feel to it, with not much separating a large portion of the 14-strong field. The draw did little to help solve the puzzle, with all the key contenders drawing well enough, including last year’s fourth My Wish, who arrives with a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351134/mark-newnham-happy-enough-my-wish-and-invincible-ibis-draw-10-and-five-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351134/mark-newnham-happy-enough-my-wish-and-invincible-ibis-draw-10-and-five-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:30:07 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Connections of Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior head into Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin with supreme confidence as the Hong Kong superstars bid for record-extending Group One victories. The two highest-rated horses in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising chases a 20th straight victory in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) while Romantic Warrior will bid to win the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) for a fourth time. Ka Ying Rising can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351133/confidence-remains-high-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-camps-ahead-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3351133/confidence-remains-high-ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-camps-ahead-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:17 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding British challengers Royal Champion and Docklands had their first canters at Sha Tin on Wednesday morning as they geared up towards their Group One targets, but there was a scare for Japan’s June Take just moments before. Royal Champion is one of the key contenders for the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m), a race where he will take on Hong Kong’s global champion Romantic Warrior and Japan’s top-class Masquerade Ball. The Karl Burke-trained galloper arrives in career-best form, winning the Group Two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350958/british-challengers-hit-ground-running-sha-tin-june-take-gives-connections-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350958/british-challengers-hit-ground-running-sha-tin-june-take-gives-connections-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:30:52 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Six-time Group One winner Voyage Bubble and Sunlight Power must pass two veterinary inspections this week to be cleared to run in Sunday’s Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin. The Jockey Club’s head of veterinary regulation, welfare and biosecurity policy, Dr Bronte Forbes, reported on Tuesday that routine pre-race inspections revealed Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s gallopers both developed a capped elbow in one of their front legs. “Dr Forbes advised that both horses are currently subject to veterinary... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350848/six-time-group-one-winner-voyage-bubble-and-sunlight-power-under-cloud-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350848/six-time-group-one-winner-voyage-bubble-and-sunlight-power-under-cloud-champions-mile?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:27:38 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Comanche Brave will be giving it his best shot when he faces the mammoth task of tackling the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Donnacha O’Brien-trained Irish galloper is yet to win in Group company, but he has been a consistent operator in the grade and heads to Hong Kong on the back of some career-best runs. A winner at Naas four starts ago, he then rattled through the line to finish third in the Group Two Solonaway... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350828/ka-ying-rising-looks-unbeatable-comanche-brave-camp-optimistic-giving-him-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350828/ka-ying-rising-looks-unbeatable-comanche-brave-camp-optimistic-giving-him-race?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:05:54 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney David Hayes has no concerns about the prospect of a rain-affected track for Ka Ying Rising as the champion sprinter bids for a record-extending 20th straight win in Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. The Hong Kong Observatory has predicted showers and occasional thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, with more showers forecast on Saturday. At this stage, the unstable weather is tipped to clear on Sunday. Ka Ying Rising, who currently sits atop the Longines World’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350698/prospect-wet-track-no-concern-david-hayes-ka-ying-rising-bids-20th-straight-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350698/prospect-wet-track-no-concern-david-hayes-ka-ying-rising-bids-20th-straight-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:21 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Docklands and Royal Champion were the first of the internationals set for FWD Champions Day to arrive in Hong Kong on the weekend, but there were two absentees from the travelling party after the withdrawals of Andreas Vesalius and Native Approach. Docklands and Royal Champion arrived from Britain on Saturday night, with Japan’s six representatives following soon after in the early hours of Sunday morning. Group One winners Masquerade Ball, Jantar Mantar and Satono Reve headline the Land Of The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350636/champions-day-raiders-arrive-hong-kong-caspar-fownes-reclaims-championship-lead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350636/champions-day-raiders-arrive-hong-kong-caspar-fownes-reclaims-championship-lead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:45:45 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Mark Newnham and Zac Purton were rapt with Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Invincible Ibis and Little Paradise’s trials at Sha Tin on Thursday as they prepare to defy history in next week’s Group One Champions Mile. In his first major hit-out since a strong victory in last month’s Derby, Invincible Ibis ran on under little pressure from jockey Hugh Bowman to finish third in a 1,200m dirt trial, which was won by Little Paradise. Newnham was pleased with the performance and has high hopes the son of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350278/invincible-ibis-and-little-paradise-please-mark-newnham-and-zac-purton-ahead-champions-mile-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3350278/invincible-ibis-and-little-paradise-please-mark-newnham-and-zac-purton-ahead-champions-mile-test?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney The much-anticipated Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) has been reduced to a field of nine after the withdrawals of Japan’s Museum Mile and a trio of locals on Monday. Connections of dual Group One winner Museum Mile confirmed to the Jockey Club on Monday that he won’t take his place. Reports in Japan on the weekend indicated connections had been told by the Jockey Club he was unlikely to pass a Hong Kong vet inspection, based on videos of his gait. Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Stormy Grove has also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349875/japanese-star-museum-mile-and-trio-local-hopes-withdrawn-qeii-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349875/japanese-star-museum-mile-and-trio-local-hopes-withdrawn-qeii-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:16 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Hugh Bowman has made the tough call to ride My Wish over Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Invincible Ibis in the Group One Champions Mile, with superstar jockey James McDonald replacing him on the latter in the HK$24 million feature. Despite guiding the Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis to an emphatic victory in last month’s Derby, Bowman sided with stablemate My Wish after his fast-finishing second to Lucky Sweynesse in Monday’s Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m). “It was a tough call. I had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349481/hugh-bowman-opts-ride-my-wish-champions-mile-james-mcdonald-his-replacement-invincible-ibis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349481/hugh-bowman-opts-ride-my-wish-champions-mile-james-mcdonald-his-replacement-invincible-ibis?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:51:41 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Hong Kong champions Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior will bid to extend their record-breaking successes against strong international opposition at Sha Tin this month, after the Jockey Club confirmed the expected fields for the three FWD Champions Day features. Ka Ying Rising, who topped March’s first edition of the 2026 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, will chase a record-extending 20th straight victory when he defends his Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) crown on April... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349355/ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-set-face-strong-overseas-rivals-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3349355/ka-ying-rising-and-romantic-warrior-set-face-strong-overseas-rivals-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:10:15 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney French star Calandagan, Japan’s Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile headline a strong contingent of 63 international raiders entered for next month’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin. Calandagan, last year’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse, and Group One winners Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile could be set for a blockbuster clash with Hong Kong’s 13-time Group One champion Romantic Warrior in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). Calandagan capped a massive year with victory in last November’s Group... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:52:18 +0000 A record number of tourists flocked to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, with Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailing the event a success despite the death of superstar Japanese filly Liberty Island. Crowd numbers were up 37.5 per cent year on year, the club said. Fans, meanwhile, wagered north of HK$1.5 billion, which was 3.34 per cent down on 12 months ago, a dip the CEO attributed somewhat to the absence of local star Romantic Warrior. And while the club celebrated... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3308110/record-tourist-numbers-flock-champions-day-star-fillys-death-mutes-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3308110/record-tourist-numbers-flock-champions-day-star-fillys-death-mutes-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Apr 2025 12:55:19 +0000 There may be no Romantic Warrior, but Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges remains confident Sunday’s FWD Champions Day will be the best yet. While local hero Romantic Warrior, the world’s highest-earning racehorse, is enjoying a break after a tough overseas campaign, superstars Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble will fly the Bauhinia flag and a record 14 international gallopers will grace the Sha Tin turf across Sunday’s three features. “I personally think it has grown and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3308043/bumper-champions-day-feature-best-international-line-we-have-had?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3308043/bumper-champions-day-feature-best-international-line-we-have-had?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:30:09 +0000 The Hayes family walked away from Thursday morning’s FWD Champions Day barrier draw grinning from ear to ear, while star local miler Voyage Bubble and three of the leading Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) hopes will have to overcome wide gates at Sha Tin on Sunday. Ka Ying Rising will jump from gate four in his bid for a 12th straight win and fourth Group One success of the season – the lowest gate the world’s best sprinter has been handed since February last year. “I’m very happy after the barrier... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3307747/hayes-family-very-happy-champions-day-barriers-while-other-leading-hopes-draw-wide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3307747/hayes-family-very-happy-champions-day-barriers-while-other-leading-hopes-draw-wide?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:36:57 +0000 French gun Goliath and a superstar Japanese trio headline a seven-strong overseas attack on the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin this month, after the Jockey Club confirmed the expected fields for the three FWD Champions Day features. Reigning Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,392m) winner Goliath will race at the New Territories track for the first time on April 27, while Prognosis, Liberty Island and Tastiera will jet in from the Land of the Rising Sun looking to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3305805/goliath-mr-brightside-and-plethora-japanese-stars-headline-overseas-assault-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3305805/goliath-mr-brightside-and-plethora-japanese-stars-headline-overseas-assault-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:16:27 +0000 Big-name raiders like Goliath, Dubai Honour, Liberty Island and Tastiera could look to pounce on next month’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) riches in the absence of local superstar Romantic Warrior. With Romantic Warrior, who has won the past three QE II Cups, likely to head for a spell after the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on April 5, and Voyage Bubble expected to target the Champions Mile, the lion’s share of the HK$28 million QE II Cup purse looks destined to head abroad in 2025. Liberty... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3302982/big-name-raiders-could-hunt-qe-ii-cup-riches-romantic-warriors-absence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3302982/big-name-raiders-could-hunt-qe-ii-cup-riches-romantic-warriors-absence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:44:44 +0000 Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges believes FWD Champions Day can go from “strength to strength” after hailing Sunday’s event a success following a post-pandemic rebuild. While admitting Champions Day will always play second fiddle to the Hong Kong International Races, Engelbrecht-Bresges has high hopes for a meeting that was restricted solely to local horses in 2020 and 2022 because of Covid restrictions. “It will always be different to HKIR, but it is another key... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260708/champions-day-can-go-strength-strength-following-post-pandemic-rebuild?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260708/champions-day-can-go-strength-strength-following-post-pandemic-rebuild?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Apr 2024 13:17:53 +0000 The curtain is likely to come down on the glittering career of Golden Sixty after the city’s most successful racehorse was defeated by Beauty Eternal in the Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday. Sent off a warm $1.5 favourite in pursuit of an 11th top-level success, Golden Sixty travelled with ominous authority on the outside of Beauty Eternal but was ultimately no match for a masterful front-running ride from six-time champion jockey Zac Purton on the rain-softened turf. While it was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260698/golden-sixtys-glittering-career-probably-over-after-champions-mile-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260698/golden-sixtys-glittering-career-probably-over-after-champions-mile-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:50:22 +0000 David Hall may have endured a long and testing wait between Group One winners but Invincible Sage ensured the trainer’s elite-level breakthrough “was a pretty easy watch” with a comprehensive victory in Sunday’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Stepping out at the top level for the first time, Invincible Sage relished the yielding ground to become Hall’s first Group One victor since Absolute Champion, who won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in 2007 to go with his win in the 2006 Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260691/david-hall-ends-group-one-drought-invincible-sage-announces-arrival-big-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260691/david-hall-ends-group-one-drought-invincible-sage-announces-arrival-big-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:44:24 +0000 Fans will flock to Sha Tin on Sunday hoping to see the great Golden Sixty scorch the turf for what could be the final time as the world’s highest-earning racehorse chases a record-extending fourth consecutive victory in the Group One Champions Mile. With 26 wins, including 10 at Group One level, and north of HK$165 million in prize money, Golden Sixty is by far the most successful galloper Hong Kong has ever seen. For much of this season, the talk has been around this being the indefatigable... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260641/records-not-retirement-focus-golden-sixty-champions-day-what-if-he-wins-many-lengths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260641/records-not-retirement-focus-golden-sixty-champions-day-what-if-he-wins-many-lengths?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:36:41 +0000 Dennis Yip Chor-hong is confident Massive Sovereign has a “very good chance” of dethroning the champion Romantic Warrior when the pair clash for the first time in Sunday’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin. Massive Sovereign became the first horse in 27 years to win a Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at his second start in the city in March’s showpiece, and now Yip’s four-year-old will aim to enter even more rarefied air as he bids for QE II Cup glory on only his third appearance in the city. “I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260625/massive-sovereign-very-good-chance-dethroning-romantic-warrior-says-dennis-yip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260625/massive-sovereign-very-good-chance-dethroning-romantic-warrior-says-dennis-yip?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2024 08:21:12 +0000 Brenton Avdulla is bullish about his prospects of landing a third straight Group One on California Spangle when he rides the top sprinter in Sunday’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. The Australian jockey boasts a perfect strike rate on Tony Cruz’s stable star after guiding him to brilliant victories in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin and Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) at Meydan. The Starspangledbanner gelding has returned to his best since being switched to sprinting and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260611/brenton-avdulla-confident-california-spangle-can-deliver-group-one-hat-trick-chairmans-sprint-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260611/brenton-avdulla-confident-california-spangle-can-deliver-group-one-hat-trick-chairmans-sprint-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2024 04:34:48 +0000 Tom Marquand believes Dubai Honour “feels better than he did last year” as the globetrotting money spinner bids to turn the tables on Romantic Warrior in Sunday’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). Beaten two and a half lengths in third behind Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar and Japanese raider Prognosis in last year’s renewal, Dubai Honour will look to reverse the form and in the process land a first top-level success in Hong Kong for regular visitor Marquand. “I’ve not quite had any luck yet on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260602/tom-marquand-relishing-chance-have-second-qe-ii-cup-crack-dubai-honour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260602/tom-marquand-relishing-chance-have-second-qe-ii-cup-crack-dubai-honour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2024 02:57:41 +0000 Galaxy Patch has not missed a beat this season and Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes his star four-year-old can throw down the gauntlet to Golden Sixty in Sunday’s Group One FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin. A winner of his sole start in Australia, Galaxy Patch has gone from strength to strength since arriving at Ng’s stable and faces his toughest challenge yet on the back of a stellar second in last month’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m). “He’s been very impressive over every distance so far and I’m looking... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260458/special-galaxy-patch-poised-epic-champions-mile-clash-golden-sixty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260458/special-galaxy-patch-poised-epic-champions-mile-clash-golden-sixty?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Apr 2024 05:31:50 +0000 Damian Lane has labelled Hishi Iguazu the pick of his FWD Champions Day rides as the top Australian jockey prepares to team up with three Japanese gallopers at Sha Tin on Sunday. Lane has built a strong association with the Land of the Rising Sun, with several successful riding stints there over the past five years and international Group One wins on Japanese gallopers, including Win Marilyn in the 2022 Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). The 30-year-old will ride Hishi Iguazu in the Group One QE II Cup... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260423/damian-lane-rates-hishi-iguazu-his-best-champions-day-ride-ahead-qe-ii-cup-clash-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260423/damian-lane-rates-hishi-iguazu-his-best-champions-day-ride-ahead-qe-ii-cup-clash-romantic-warrior?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:17:12 +0000 Cashing in at Hong Kong’s international meetings has become something of a national pastime in Japan, but – much like 2023 – gallopers from the Land of the Rising Sun are anything but assured of success at Sha Tin this Sunday. Last year was a rare blank for Japan in Hong Kong, with its gallopers failing to land a blow at either of the city’s two marquee race days – Champions Day and the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). Before 2023, you had to go right back to 2018 to find one of Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260405/after-rare-hong-kong-blank-2023-japan-could-strike-out-again-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260405/after-rare-hong-kong-blank-2023-japan-could-strike-out-again-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:19:49 +0000 He’s experienced the thrill of winning the prestigious Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) and the “once-in-a-lifetime” euphoria of plundering the Group One Cox Plate (2,040m), but now Romantic Warrior’s owner, Peter Lau Pak-fai, admits the pressure is off. Make no mistake, Lau understands the gravity of his superstar trying to become the first three-time winner of Sunday’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), but come this weekend the owner might not be as close to the edge of his seat as he has been ahead of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260338/pressure-owner-peter-lau-romantic-warrior-looks-continue-all-conquering-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260338/pressure-owner-peter-lau-romantic-warrior-looks-continue-all-conquering-run?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:58:01 +0000 Francis Lui Kin-wai walked away from Thursday’s FWD Champions Day barrier draw hoping the weather gods are among Golden Sixty’s legion of fans after his fit-again superstar drew barrier seven for the Group One Champions Mile. Not seen at the races since his mind-boggling Group One Hong Kong Mile demolition from gate 14 in December, Golden Sixty chases a record-extending fourth Champions Mile win from a barrier Lui confirmed “isn’t a worry”. “I’m only worried about the weather,” said the veteran... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260323/golden-sixtys-fitness-and-barrier-get-tick-francis-lui-im-only-worried-about-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260323/golden-sixtys-fitness-and-barrier-get-tick-francis-lui-im-only-worried-about-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:35:39 +0000 James McDonald is confident Romantic Warrior can reign supreme over his Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) rivals when the six-year-old superstar bids for a historic hat-trick of wins in Sunday’s HK$28 million contest. The Kiwi ace took his record aboard the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained son of Acclamation to six victories from seven starts with a brave win over Voyage Bubble in February’s Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m). While McDonald has not been able to sit on Romantic Warrior since the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260164/romantic-warrior-ready-battle-historic-hat-trick-bid-hes-brute?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260164/romantic-warrior-ready-battle-historic-hat-trick-bid-hes-brute?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:42:45 +0000 Harry Bentley is excited to be teaming up with fellow Briton George Boughey for his first Group One ride on Champions Day aboard talented filly Believing in Sunday’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Based in Hong Kong full-time since 2021, Bentley has yet to feature in the three Group Ones on one of the city’s biggest race days but gets his first opportunity thanks to a previous connection with his mount’s trainer. The now 31-year-old jockey worked alongside Boughey, an emerging... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260015/harry-bentley-teams-familiar-face-chase-chairmans-sprint-prize-glory-talented-filly-believing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3260015/harry-bentley-teams-familiar-face-chase-chairmans-sprint-prize-glory-talented-filly-believing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:44:18 +0000 FWD Champions Day is on track to feature record international participation after the likes of Dubai Honour, Obamburumai and Mad Cool were among 11 overseas raiders included in the fields for April 28’s showcase meeting. Japan will again provide the bulk of the international flavour across the three Group One contests and a couple of familiar faces headline the Land of the Rising Sun’s tilt on the HK$28 million QE II Cup (2,000m). Hishi Iguazu will run in the race for the first time after twice... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258505/overseas-raiders-converge-champions-day-record-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258505/overseas-raiders-converge-champions-day-record-numbers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:18:41 +0000 The world’s highest-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse has been ruled out for the season after the five-year-old suffered a fracture to his left fore cannon bone in Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m). Lucky Sweynesse bounced back to winning ways in the HK$5.35 million contest but picked up the injury turning for home, trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung confirmed. “Unfortunately he’s injured,” Man said. “He has a fracture in his fetlock. When he turned into the straight, he stumbled and I think it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258181/lucky-sweynesse-ruled-out-season-after-sustaining-fractured-fetlock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258181/lucky-sweynesse-ruled-out-season-after-sustaining-fractured-fetlock?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Apr 2024 03:50:25 +0000 Lucky Sweynesse is a winner once more, with Hong Kong’s premier speedster snaring Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) to set up an intriguing clash with California Spangle in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) later this month. Defeated twice as favourite since his Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) success in December, Lucky Sweynesse was sent off $2 for his first run under Hugh Bowman and impressed the star Australian with his half-length defeat of Invincible Sage. “He needs no... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258135/lucky-sweynesse-bounces-back-group-two-sprint-cup-i-knew-what-i-had-underneath-me?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3258135/lucky-sweynesse-bounces-back-group-two-sprint-cup-i-knew-what-i-had-underneath-me?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:23:50 +0000 A dozen Group One winners are among the overseas contingent entered for this year’s FWD Champions Day, with Japan again showing significant interest in Hong Kong’s second-biggest race day. Winner of last year’s fillies’ Triple Crown in Japan, Liberty Island has been entered for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) and headlines the 25-strong contingent from the Land of the Rising Sun, while Prognosis could make a third trip to Hong Kong after finishing second behind Romantic Warrior in the 2023 QE... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3256098/dozen-group-one-winners-among-overseas-entries-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3256098/dozen-group-one-winners-among-overseas-entries-champions-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:00:10 +0000 Joao Moreira said it felt “like a dream” to ride his 1,235th Hong Kong winner four and a half months after what the four-time champion jockey thought had been his final competitive appearance in the city. Moreira, who relinquished his Jockey Club licence in November and still had not ridden a winner in the city this season after fulfilling seven fruitless assignments on international day in December, was triumphant in the first event on FWD Champions Day. Caspar Fownes, who had supplied... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218931/joao-moreira-winner-again-hong-kong-its-dream?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218931/joao-moreira-winner-again-hong-kong-its-dream?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 12:44:54 +0000 Romantic Warrior bounced back in emphatic fashion at Sha Tin on Sunday, defending his Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) crown in style as the home team dominated on FWD Champions Day. Romantic Warrior’s two-length victory over Japanese raider Prognosis followed earlier victories from Lucky Sweynesse in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Golden Sixty in the Group One Champions Mile to ensure the internationals went home empty-handed. “These Hong Kong horses are flying, and it’s great... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218929/romantic-warrior-bounces-back-emphatic-qe-ii-cup-win-these-hong-kong-horses-are-flying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218929/romantic-warrior-bounces-back-emphatic-qe-ii-cup-win-these-hong-kong-horses-are-flying?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 12:19:55 +0000 Golden Sixty became the highest-earning racehorse in history at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, taking out the Group One FWD Champions Mile for a record third straight time. By pocketing the HK$11.4 million Champions Mile first prize, Golden Sixty took his earnings to almost HK$148 million and sailed past the A$26.45 million [HK$137 million] wonder mare Winx banked during her incredible career. Golden Sixty became the first horse to win the Champions Mile on three occasions, and by snaring the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218919/golden-sixty-becomes-highest-earning-horse-history-champions-mile-hat-trick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218919/golden-sixty-becomes-highest-earning-horse-history-champions-mile-hat-trick?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 10:34:22 +0000 Zac Purton believes “the sky’s the limit” for Lucky Sweynesse after Manfred Man Ka-leung’s best-ever galloper became the first horse since all-time great Silent Witness to collect the Hong Kong Speed Series bonus. Lucky Sweynesse’s three-and-a-quarter-length Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) victory earned his connections HK$16.4 million – with HK$5 million of that a bounty for taking out all three races in this term’s series – and equalled his biggest winning margin. “This horse just... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218917/zac-purton-says-skys-limit-lucky-sweynesse-after-speed-series-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218917/zac-purton-says-skys-limit-lucky-sweynesse-after-speed-series-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 10:23:05 +0000 FWD Champions Day has been the scene of some of Vincent Ho Chak-yiu’s most treasured racing memories and ahead of Sunday’s showcase at Sha Tin, he finds himself poised to embed himself even further into the annals of the second biggest race day on the Hong Kong calendar. Ho’s first Group One victory came aboard Southern Legend in the Champions Mile in 2020. In 2021, he became the first home-grown jockey to ride two Group One winners in a day by snaring another Champions Mile, this time with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218850/vincent-ho-poised-add-his-treasure-trove-champions-day-memories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218850/vincent-ho-poised-add-his-treasure-trove-champions-day-memories?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 06:12:16 +0000 Lucky Sweynesse’s connections are certainly dreaming big about what the rest of 2023 could hold for their superstar sprinter, but first there is the small matter of Sunday’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and the four-year-old’s bid to sweep the Hong Kong Speed Series. While June’s Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) in Japan and the mega-rich Everest (1,200m) in Sydney in October have been floated as potential targets for Lucky Sweynesse, the four-year-old stands to pocket HK$16.4... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218838/can-lucky-sweynesse-continue-superb-season-i-dont-think-weve-seen-best-him-yet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218838/can-lucky-sweynesse-continue-superb-season-i-dont-think-weve-seen-best-him-yet?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:46:12 +0000 Danny Shum Chap-shing is confident having two months between runs has reinvigorated Romantic Warrior ahead of his bid on Sunday to snap his two-race losing streak and make it two Group One FWD QE II Cup (2,000m) titles. “He’s strong. He’s happy. He’s good,” was Shum’s succinct description of Romantic Warrior’s condition, mood and form on the eve of his first start in 63 days, which is the defending QE II Cup champion’s longest-ever in-season gap between appearances. After producing, arguably,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218836/danny-shum-confident-romantic-warrior-ready-qe-ii-cup-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218836/danny-shum-confident-romantic-warrior-ready-qe-ii-cup-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:22:48 +0000 Danon The Kid’s assistant trainer, Keiichiro Yasuda, says this season’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) runner-up is in better condition for his rematch with hometown hero Romantic Warrior on Sunday than the Japanese raider was for their clash in December. Four and a half lengths separated Romantic Warrior and Danon The Kid at the conclusion of the Hong Kong Cup four months ago, with the gap widening as they galloped down Sha Tin’s home straight. Furthermore, given Danon The Kid’s reputation as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218834/comeback-kid-japan-ready-romantic-warrior-rematch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218834/comeback-kid-japan-ready-romantic-warrior-rematch?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:13:38 +0000 There are not many racehorse trainers who have hit headlines across the racing world more regularly or widely over the past 12 months than William Haggas. Coming off the back of his most successful year yet in terms of both number of winners and prize money in 2021, the Newmarket handler continued to attract widespread adulation in 2022. On home turf, Baaeed continued his ascent to world’s best turf racehorse status via the United Kingdom’s most prestigious Group One contests, while stablemates... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218669/dubai-honour-keeps-william-haggas-name-lights-he-seeks-qe-ii-cup-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3218669/dubai-honour-keeps-william-haggas-name-lights-he-seeks-qe-ii-cup-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Apr 2023 02:52:34 +0000