After 85 meetings and 818 captivating races, a truly extraordinary Hong Kong horse racing is now in its final phase as we prepare to celebrate a string of unique accomplishments with the 2024-25 Champion Awards on Friday night (11 July).
Even by Hong Kong racing’s world-class standards, this season has been unique with the stellar achievements of, in alphabetical order, KA YING RISING, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and VOYAGE BUBBLE, who have again excelled and brought tremendous credit on our city and their owners, trainers and jockeys.
With 10 Group 1 victories, three track records, a combined HK$181.4 million in prize money and 16 wins from 20 starts between them, Hong Kong’s equine titans have taken their connections and passionate fans on an incredible journey of elite achievement signposted by history-making feats.
As the youngest of the trio, four-year-old KA YING RISING has again showcased Hong Kong’s traditional strength in the sprinting ranks with an unbeaten eight-race campaign, crowned by four Group 1 triumphs and twice breaking Sha Tin’s 1200m course record, which had been held by SACRED KINGDOM since 2007, for David Hayes and Zac Purton.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR created history with an unprecedented third G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) success before embarking on another remarkable globe-trotting adventure which yielded a track record-breaking triumph in the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in Dubai before two narrow defeats in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) and G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) for Danny Shum and James McDonald.
And VOYAGE BUBBLE managed to become the first horse in 31 years to sweep Hong Kong’s elusive Triple Crown by winning the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in the same season, emulating the feat of RIVER VERDON in 1994, for Ricky Yui and James.
To have three extraordinary horses showcasing the quality of Hong Kong racing at the same time on the global stage is something our racing community can feel immensely proud of and, as a member of the judging panel tasked with the responsibility of choosing Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year, it will be very challenging decision to elevate one of these amazing horses above the other and I want to congratulate all of their connections for their incredible seasons.
I look forward to celebrating a wonderful season on Friday night when we acclaim our equine and human champions in various categories – sprinter, stayer, miler, middle-distance stayer, four-year-old, most improved and champion jockey – while the awards for most popular jockey, most popular horse, champion trainer, champion griffin and Tony Cruz Award will be given either at Sha Tin on 13 July or spectacular season finale at Happy Valley on 16 July.
Before we reach the season finale, the Happy Wednesday Music Festival will continue at Happy Valley’s world-famous Beer Garden tonight (Wednesday, 9 July) with the appearance of R&B artist Katt Rockell.
Celebrating our penultimate Happy Valley meeting of the season, patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy fantastic live music, themed food and beverages while also watching nine world-class races.
Our Beer Garden continues to provide incredible enjoyment for our attendees as a destination of choice and I look forward to experiencing the upbeat atmosphere once more.
The competitive highlight tonight is the Class 2 Begonia Handicap, which is carded as Race 8 and will be run over 1800m at 10.15pm. The race is a combination of Class 2 and Class 3 horses with an unusual rating band of 90-60, a spread of 30.
The pace will be good with FLAMINGO TRILLION (Derek Leung) leading with NOISY BOY (Luke Ferraris), who will attempt to cross from gate 11. SHARPEN BRIGHT (Matthew Poon), WOODFIRE BRO (Keith Yeung) and BEAUTY ALLIANCE (Alexis Badel) should all be prominent.
BEAUTY ALLIANCE was a big winner here over 1800m on 12 March, before being beaten five lengths in the BMW Hong Kong Derby behind CAP FERRAT. One-paced at his next run when fourth to FALLON over this course and distance on 23 April, BEAUTY ALLIANCE resumed on 28 June to finish third to RISES FROM ASHES over 1400m at Sha Tin. That was an excellent effort and BEAUTY ALLIANCE is my win and place selection.
CAMBRIDGE (Zac Purton) improved sharply when scoring at big odds over this course and distance on 14 May, beating EXCELLENCE VALUE. Last start, CAMBRIDGE had the run of the race but couldn’t match the finish of JOY OF SPRING in the run home. CAMBRIDGE is also a win and place chance.
NOISY BOY finished a narrow second to BUNDLE AWARD in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) before finishing eighth to TALENTS AMBITION on the All Weather over 1650m on 31 May. NOISY BOY won his only start at Happy Valley and is a talented stayer. He is a place chance.
FLAMINGO TRILLION and WINNING WING (Dylan Mo) are also place chances.
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