As one of the most auspicious meetings of the season, Thursday’s (19 February) Year Of The Horse Raceday not only lived up to expectations but also continued an incredible opening to Lunar New Year celebrations with world-class horse racing and wonderful entertainment to perfectly set the scene for KA YING RISING’s bid for history in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 February).
Following closely behind Tuesday night’s (17 February) fabulous International Chinese New Year Night Parade and the spectacular “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong” Year of the Horse Fireworks on Wednesday evening (18 February), Thursday’s race meeting also showcased Hong Kong at its very best.
Individually, all three events were outstanding, and we were delighted with a record 20,395 tourists present at Sha Tin on Thursday, boosting the number of visitors after 47 meetings this season to 209,541, which surpasses the total number of tourists – 195,780 – who attended our race meetings throughout the entire 2024/25 season.
These statistics validate the Club’s strategic efforts to position Hong Kong’s world-class racing as a premier equine tourism destination on the global stage, in conjunction with the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The atmosphere at Sha Tin was vibrant throughout the day with the performances of the talented Kelly Chen, renowned duo FAMA and Feng Shui Master Mak Ling Ling creating an incredible vibe before the traditional lion dance, which was watched by all our jockeys, and we were delighted with overall attendance of 92,612 at Sha Tin and a further 5,573 at Happy Valley.
The energy created continued throughout a memorable day and I congratulate the Mahogany Syndicate for the victory of Stunning Peach in the Class 2 The Year Of The Horse Cup Handicap (1600m) as well as jockey Angus Chung and trainer Tony Cruz.
The emergence of quality fresh equine talent is always exciting, and the performances of Francis Lui pair BABY SAKURA and HOT DELIGHT were particularly impressive, especially HOT DELIGHT who handled the rise to Class 3 with aplomb.
It was interesting to note the comments of Francis post-race suggesting that three-year-old HOT DELIGHT is superior compared to GOLDEN SIXTY at the corresponding stage of their careers, which is a massive call considering GOLDEN SIXTY’s incredible achievements, not least 10 Group 1 victories.
It is tremendous to see a three-year-old acquitting himself so well in his first preparation and HOT DELIGHT is certainly worth following, especially into his four-year-old season.
The Year Of The Horse Raceday paves for the way what shapes as a history-making day in Hong Kong racing with Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Raceday on Sunday, where the incredible KA YING RISING will bid for history as he attempts to secure a record 18th successive win by a Hong Kong-trained horse.
History has closely shadowed Hong Kong horseracing this century with the stunning feats of multiple champions including SILENT WITNESS, GOLDEN SIXTY, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and now KA YING RISING, who chases a record-breaking victory in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
If successful, KA YING RISING will stand in a league of his own and his achievements are a credit to the management of trainer David Hayes and the dedication of his stable staff, the Ka Ying Syndicate and jockeys Zac Purton and Karis Teetan, who have been part of a 17-race unbeaten streak.
Winning one race in the ultra-competitive Hong Kong racing system is an accomplishment, so to string together 17 wins in a row – a sequence which features seven Group 1 victories, including historic success in The Everest in Sydney, and two course records at Sha Tin – is simply extraordinary.
I have not seen a better sprinter than KA YING RISING with his blistering acceleration and the capacity to reel off dazzling sectionals, while his consistency is also quite remarkable with 18 wins from 20 starts and only two narrow defeats as a three-year-old.
In current form, he is virtually invincible but nothing can be taken for granted in racing and, for all his achievements, KA YING RISING faces a different challenge this weekend when he stretches to 1400m for only the second time in his career and confronts several formidable in-form rivals, including HELIOS EXPRESS and 2023 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup victor LUCKY SWEYNESSE, who has won over the course and distance three times while RED LION is a five-time course and distance winner and PATCH OF THETA is at his best over 1400m, winning over the distance six times and is in great form.
This shows that even though KA YING RISING is the best horse in the race and is the clear favourite to win, one should not underestimate the ability of his rivals.
The 2026 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup is carded as Race 8 and will be run at 4.35pm with prizemoney of HK$13 million.
The pace should be good with COPARTNER PRANCE likely to lead RED LION with KA YING RISING on his outside. PACKING HERMOD, PATCH OF THETA and LUCKY SWEYNESSE should all settle midfield with HELIOS EXPRESS and RAGING BLIZZARD next from SUNLIGHT POWER and GALAXY PATCH at the tail of the field.
KA YING RISING easily won the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup last season under Karis when Zac was unavailable because of injury, defeating HELIOS EXPRESS by one and a half lengths, after sitting second behind CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and bursting clear in the straight to comfortably run out 1400m.
From gate three tomorrow, Zac should enjoy a perfect run behind COPARTNER PRANCE and, if the pace slows, he has the option of pushing forward to press for the lead. KA YING RISING has continued to thrive since his G1 Centenary Cup Sprint (1200m) triumph on 25 January and his 1200m barrier trial win by almost five lengths on 10 February indicated he remains in peak form. He is a clear win and place selection.
LUCKY SWEYNESSE, who will be ridden by Derek Leung from gate one, returned to form with a brave, front-running second to ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 25 January and, as a three-time course and distance winner, is a place chance.
HELIOS EXPRESS, to be partnered by Hugh Bowman, continues to race extremely well and will appreciate the step to 1400m after his good second to KA YING RISING last start. He is also a place chance.
In a deep field, several other runners have place claims including RED LION for Dylan Browne McMonagle, GALAXY PATCH (Karis Teetan), PATCH OF THETA (Maxime Guyon), RAGING BLIZZARD (Brenton Avdulla) and SUNLIGHT POWER (Vincent Ho).
Whatever unfolds, it will be a fascinating spectacle which will be monitored across the globe as the world’s best sprinter KA YING RISING bids for Hong Kong racing history and I wish connections of all runners the very best of luck.
I am saddened by the passing of Major General Guy Watkins, and I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Major General Watkins served as Chief Executive of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club from 1986-96, making significant contributions including the launch in 1988 of Hong Kong’s first international race, the Hong Kong Invitation Cup, laying the foundation for the world-renowned LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
Major General Watkins oversaw the redevelopment of Happy Valley Racecourse between 1993-95, the opening of public riding schools in Tuen Mun and Lei Yue Mu, the redevelopment of Beas River, the funding of the Hong Kong Stadium redevelopment and the establishment of the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course and many other projects.
Also included among the major developments during his tenure was the establishment in 1993 of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Charities Trust. The Trust is now the largest charitable donor in Asia and one of the biggest in the world.
Major General Watkins played a key role in the Club’s development, and his contributions were visionary and enduring for the betterment of Hong Kong and our world-class racing.
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