Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day at Sha Tin today (9 November) is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong racing calendar, fusing high-class fashion, glamour and world-class racing on what is always a brilliant occasion.
This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated meetings of the season as our guests dress in their finery to mark one of the most stylish events on the Hong Kong, China fashion calendar.
Sa Sa ambassador Samantha Ko will lead the festivities as we celebrate the 21st anniversary of Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Raceday, while singer Yan Ting makes his racecourse debut in Sha Tin’s Parade Ring with four songs during the opening performance at 12pm.
Sa Sa, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), will present a dazzling fashion show during the opening performance. This showcase will feature a stunning series of creations crafted by graduates of HKDI’s Higher Diploma in Fashion Image Design programme.
All racegoers entering Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses before 3.30pm will receive a designated souvenir brooch, while those at Sha Tin have the chance to participate in the Best Dressed Award, while also enjoying special offers at the Sa Sa Beauty Bazaar and themed cuisine at a designated trackside kiosk.
The G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse – formerly the Ladies’ Purse – is one of Hong Kong’s oldest races, having been first run in 1846. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Kwok family, who are one of the most successful and passionate racing families in Hong Kong.
I am delighted that Miss Georgiana Kwok, daughter of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Voting Member and horse owner, Mr Larry Kwok Lam Kwong SBS JP, will officiate at the trophy presentation ceremony and I wish the Kwok family the best of luck with their runners on Sunday, especially BEAUTY JOY in Race 7, the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, as well as SMART BEAUTY in Race 1, BEAUTY VIVA and BEAUTY MISSILE in Race 4 and BEAUTY CRESCENT in Race 10.
The G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse is carded as Race 7 and will be run over 1800m at 4.05pm and carries prizemoney of HK$4.2 million. The race is very competitive and very open and being run on the C+3 course makes it even more challenging to predict.
The pace will be good with PRAY FOR MIR (Matthew Chadwick) set to reprise his usual pace-making role from gate eight. CHANCHENG GLORY (Jerry Chau) should be prominent from gate one, along with SWORD POINT (David Probert).
CAP FERRAT won the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in March, narrowly beating MY WISH. He then ran well in Group races against older horses, ending last season with second place to BEAUTY JOY in the G3 Premier Plate over this course and distance on 22 June.
He is the choice of Zac Purton for the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse and had no luck when resuming in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy over 1600m three weeks ago, when he had no clear run over the last 300m. While I like him as a win and place chance, he is at risk to be caught three-wide from his draw in gate 13.
RUBYLOT is the choice of Hugh Bowman and won the Hong Kong Classic Cup in March over this distance, beating MY WISH. He has had two runs this preparation, drawing wide in both. He must contend with a wide draw again from gate 14 but, with a good run through, RUBYLOT is a place chance.
The 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner MASSIVE SOVEREIGN (Luke Ferraris) shaped well when having his first run for the season in the Panasonic Cup (1600m) two weeks ago, finishing a close fourth to SAGACIOUS LIFE. MASSIVE SOVEREIGN will be fitter now and is a win and place chance.
BEAUTY JOY (Derek Leung) beat CAP FERRAT to win the Premier Plate over this course and distance in June when he came from near last on the turn. He resumed with a good third to MY WISH in the Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) when he again ran on strongly from the back of the field. BEAUTY JOY is never far away in the finish of these races, and he is a place chance.
CHANCHENG GLORY has not raced since travelling to Seoul and finishing second in the G3 Korea Cup (1800m, sand) in September. He was third in this race last year and, from his inside draw, should be in a good position and is a place chance.
This is a very competitive edition of the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, which was won by ENCOUNTERED in 2023 and ENSUED in 2024, who both return to contest the race again today. MOMENTS IN TIME (Richard Kingscote) was a close fifth in the Sha Tin Trophy and BUNDLE AWARD (Andrea Atzeni) and PRAY FOR MIR can both make sharp improvement on their last start runs and figure in the finish.
I expect a better performance from BUNDLE AWARD, who is working very well He will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni and has to come from the back of the field.
FEI General Assembly further enhances Hong Kong, China’s equestrian connection
The 2025 Fédération Equestre Internationale (“FEI”) General Assembly, which closed on Friday night (7 November) with a wonderful FEI Awards Gala Dinner, was a tremendous success and a reminder of Hong Kong, China’s deep connection with horse sports.
Our city’s history is steeped in equestrian sports, including world-class horse racing, and the FEI’s decision to stage its General Assembly in Hong Kong, China for the first time since 1998 is something we can all be proud of.
We are immensely grateful to the FEI for entrusting Hong Kong, China with the responsibility of hosting the General Assembly and I would like to thank the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing Hing, GBS, JP for his support and especially his attendance at the FEI Awards Gala Dinner.
I would also like to congratulate all the LONGINES award winners on Friday night, particularly Justin Verboomen, Tom Wachman, Sanne Melsen and the Beat as One – Stable Management Challenge for transforming stable care into a source of pride, responsibility, and personal growth for young participants in Shanghai.
The timing of the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong, China was perfect given the thriving health of equestrian sports both on the Chinese Mainland and here in Hong Kong and we look forward to providing logistical and technical support 15th National Games, being hosted in the Greater Bay Area.
The release of global entertainment group Now United’s latest single ‘Giddy Up,’ which was filmed at the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse, has created a lot of interest and it has been fantastic to watch the horseracing community embrace the song’s energy and passion.
To coincide with the release, Now United also launched the #GiddyUpDanceChallenge, which invites fans and dance lovers to recreate the choreographed moves featured in ’Giddy Up’ and share their videos on social media with the hashtag.
I was delighted to watch the performances of our jockeys Britney Wong, Jerry Chau and Matthew Poon, who clearly have talents beyond the saddle!
Participants in the #GiddyUpDanceChallenge have the chance to attend the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on 14 December to watch Now United perform in a spectacular live show.
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