As we celebrate the Year of the Horse, which shapes as one of the most exciting in Hong Kong’s history, it is timely to reflect on the deep and profound bond we share with this magnificent animal.
The horse is intrinsically entwined in Hong Kong’s heritage and today stands as a contemporary symbol of excellence through the city’s world-class racing, embodying Hong Kong’s ‘can-do spirit’ and prosperity.
Horse racing is Hong Kong’s favourite past-time and champions such as KA YING RISING and ROMANTIC WARRIOR have brought global recognition and great pride on our city with success on the international stage.
Hong Kong racing has developed into a global leader under “One Country, Two Systems”, allowing the Club to fulfil its sole purpose to act continuously for the betterment of our society.
Under our unique integrated business model, we are able to channel gambling demand from world-class racing and generate significant economic value and employment, with our surplus going back to the community through charity donations.
In becoming one of the world’s largest charity benefactors, with a sole focus on Hong Kong, we recognise none of this would be possible without the horse who, in Chinese culture, symbolises perseverance, strength and hope.
To honour the horse, the Club has created an extensive 12-month long Year of the Horse campaign, which is designed to bring joy and entertainment to the community, while acknowledging the huge contribution of the horse to our society.
We also look forward to the relaunch of world-class racing at our Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou in October. This will mark a new era of support for national equine industry development in the Greater Bay Area and beyond and we are tremendously excited about this.
On Tuesday night (17 February) on the first night of the Lunar New Year, we welcomed the Year of the Horse with the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, which was a fantastic success.
On Wednesday night (18 February), Victoria Harbour lit up with the spectacular “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong” Year of the Horse Fireworks display with a 23-minute spectacle featuring 31,888 pyrotechnic shells, which was divided into eight scenes and featured horse elements and auspicious symbols to welcome in the new year.
The excitement continues at Sha Tin today (19 February) with Year of the Horse Raceday, which is one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions on the Hong Kong racing calendar.
With public admission gates to open today at 10:30am, Year of the Horse Raceday festivities start with a spectacular variety show in the Parade Ring from 11.15am.
Renowned singer Kelly Chan will lead the way with her favourite songs before golden vocal duo FAMA and Feng Shui Master Mak Ling Ling combine to celebrate Year of the Horse prosperity and wish racegoers a year of thriving success and rising fortune.
Racegoers at Sha Tin and Happy Valley entering the courses before 3.30pm will receive a designated ‘Windmill Fortune Pen’, while Sha Tin attendees can also scan a QR code with the chance to win selected Year of the Horse collectible art pieces by the Xu Beihong Art committee, while the grand prize winner will receive a designated 999 gold ornament inspired by the classic masterpiece of renowned Chinese painting master Xu Beihong.
Members can also join the ‘Lucky Draw for Members’ to win prestigious prizes, featuring a remarkable selection of 338 prizes valued at over HK$200,000.
Sha Tin attendees can also enjoy the magnificent “Harmonious Horses” exhibit by renowned artist Simon Ma, who is known for his signature ‘Drago Cavallo’ creations, which symbolise strength, speed and harmony.
Simon will attend Sha Tin today and along, with Aaron Kwok, we will launch the miniature of it at the Jockey Club Box foyer, while racegoers can take advantage of photo opportunities with the exhibit.
Coming to the racing itself, the first race is the Kung Hei Handicap over 1200m at 12.30pm. Owners, trainers and jockeys are keen to win this race to make a successful start to the Year of the Horse, while all our customers and fans are eager to make a winning start.
The sporting highlight of the day is the Class 2 The Year of the Horse Cup Handicap, which is carded as Race 6 and will be run over 1600m at 3pm with prize money of HK$3.12 million.
TOP DRAGON and REGAL GEM are both four-year-olds who are already in Class 2 with TOP DRAGON aiming for the final leg of the Four-Year-Old Series, the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), while REGAL GEM has to prove he can handle the 1600m distance to make a claim to get a place in the field for the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
The speed will be good. VOYAGE SAMURAI has drawn well in gate three and should lead for Derek Leung. GORGEOUS WIN and SOLEIL FIGHTER should also be prominent and will settle near the lead.
TOP DRAGON ran well in the Hong Kong Classic Mile last start when he was held up in midfield, came up with a serious challenge passing the 300m but was crowded at the last 100m and lost momentum and could have finished closer than being fifth, beaten 3 and 1/4 lengths behind the brilliant LITTLE PARADISE. Maxime Guyon should give TOP DRAGON a perfect run from gate 1 and is a win and place chance with only 118lb.
ENCOUNTERED returned to top form when finishing fourth in the G3 January Cup at Happy Valley (1800m) and maintained the form last start when third to NUMBERS in the G3 Centenary Vase (1800m) on 8 February at Sha Tin. ENCOUNTERED settled back in the field last start and made good ground in the straight, closing late. Karis Teetan takes the ride again and ENCOUNTERED is a place chance dropping from 1800m back to 1600m.
SOLEIL FIGHTER is racing with great consistency and finished second over 1650m at Happy Valley on 4 February to AWESOME FLUKE. He was beaten only 3/4 of a length by SAGACIOUS LIFE, who is one of the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) favourites on 22 March. Zac Purton goes back aboard SOLEIL FIGHTER here and he is a place chance from a good draw in gate two.
REGAL GEM has won twice this season over 1200m and at his last start was fourth to BEAUTY WAVES over that trip on 4 February. REGAL GEM extends to 1600m here but is a place chance for Alexis Badel.
Of the other runners, PACKING ANGEL (Lyle Hewitson) was third in the 2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby and can improve on his first-up run on 25 January when unplaced behind INVINCIBLE SHIELD over 1200m.
Race 9 is a Class 3 with an extended rating band from 85 to 60 over 2000m at 4.40pm and there is an interesting starter in SERAPH GABRIEL, which is trained by David Eustace and is being aimed at the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Today’s meeting is a wonderful occasion and is the perfect prelude to Group 1 racing over the next two weekends. On Sunday (22 February), we are lucky to have the world’s best sprinter KA YING RISING attempting to create history with a record 18th successive win when he contests the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).
The following Sunday (1 March), global middle distance champion ROMANTIC WARRIOR will bid for victory in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), which is the second leg of the Triple Crown, while our leading four-year-olds will compete in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).
It is fitting that we have these two incredible horses featuring so early in the Year of the Horse and, finally, I would like to wish everyone Kung Hei Fat Choy!
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