Ka Ying Rising prevails in tight Hong Kong Horse of the Year battle
Ka Ying Rising's undefeated eight-win season, which included four Group One victories, was enough to see him get the nod over Voyage Bubble, who also won four Group Ones this term, and globetrotting giant Romantic Warrior.
Ka Ying Rising also scooped the Champion Sprinter and Champion Four-Year-Old awards, while Romantic Warrior enjoyed Champion Middle-Distance Horse honours and Voyage Bubble was named Champion Miler and Champion Stayer.
Mark Newnham's My Wish won Most Improved Horse, while the 2024-25 Champion Griffin will be announced at next week's season finale.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Scenes from Hong Kong's classic undercover films, from Infernal Affairs to Man on the Brink, on display at Tai Kwun
Enshrined in Tai Kwun's Duplex Studio is a dimly lit display of rebuilt sets from Hong Kong's classic undercover films of the 1980s to 2010s. The meticulous reconstructions of noteworthy scenes from eight crime films, such as Infernal Affairs and A Brighter Tomorrow, have been rebuilt across the halls of Tai Kwun's Block 01 for the 'Undercover Underworld' exhibition, which pays homage to the brilliance of local filmmaking while offering visitors a wistful and immersive experience. Presented in association with the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, the exhibition was curated by film director Sunny Chan Wing-san and Kristof Van den Troost, Assistant Professor of the Centre for China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Timothy Calnin, Director of Tai Kwun Arts, explained the decision to focus on classic crime films. 'After paying tribute to the city's neon signage and vibrant popular music in previous summers, it was a natural extension to celebrate the world of Hong Kong cinema, which at its peak was rivalled in output only by Hollywood and Bollywood,' he said. 'What makes 'Undercover Underworld' particularly fitting for Tai Kwun is that thousands of real-life police dramas passed through these gates and cellblocks.' It also reflects a common theme in Hong Kong films. 'The undercover agent, often faced with difficult moral dilemmas and torn by conflicting loyalties, has been a staple of crime dramas here for nearly half a century,' Van den Troost said. The exhibition was curated by director Sunny Chan Wing-san (right) and Kristof Van den Troost, Assistant Professor of the Centre for China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Tai Kwun The intoxicating atmosphere of the exhibition showcases the inner turmoil of an undercover agent and instils an otherworldly sense of pride in its subjects and their work. One display features an iconic scene from the multi-award-winning Infernal Affairs trilogy, showcasing the room where Tony Leung and Kelly Chen's characters have a psychiatry consultation. The set has been reconstructed with such perfection that you could almost hear the sighs and reflections from Leung during his role as an undercover police officer. It was this very film that proved Hong Kong's film industry worthy of global accolades: Warner Bros' The Departed – the licensed English-language remake of Infernal Affairs – won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2007. Scene 6 of 'Undercover Underworld' - 'Psychological Dilemma'. Photo: Tai Kwun In the entrance hall, pages of directors' scripts from select films are flipped to the most iconic scenes, recognisable to any Hong Kong film buff. In the reproduction of the Chinese restaurant from John Woo's Hard Boiled, the labels on the tea are even scribbled in with the feckless attitude of an overworked waiter in the 1980s. Another display showcases the detective's den from the set of Man on the Brink. Conspicuous strings on a memo board interlace to shed light on the clever mind behind its workings. A typewriter, piles of tapes, and stacks upon stacks of well-read documents rest on rusted metal desks typical of the time. An interview with a former undercover agent plays in the background, a man who has lived life on the brink himself. The detective den from the film 'Man on the Brink'. Photo: Tai Kwun Still, this is no match for the stupendous display that is two cars suspended in mid-air, crashing through the grand window of a cathedral-like structure. One is greeted by pandemonium: a flurry of bricks and glass fragments dot the air above, as if the collision could suddenly resume at any moment. The red vintage vehicle even has a handbag slumped in the front seat. The exhaustive displays of 'Undercover Underworld' will enlighten visitors about the golden age of Hong Kong's undercover films. The exhibition runs from August 1 to October 5. Regular tickets cost HK$25, with concession tickets priced at HK$15. Children aged 4 or below enjoy free admission. Tickets can be purchased through Klook, whereas limited tickets are available for on-site purchase at G/F, Block 01, Police Headquarters Block, Tai Kwun.
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
5 new Hong Kong coffee shops to try in August, from Central to Yuen Long
Slow down a little and relax with these new coffee spots scattered across Hong Kong, perfect when you just want to unwind amid the hustle and bustle. 1. Detour Known for its in-house roastery, Detour Coffee recently opened another branch in Central. A classic flat white at Detour Coffee's new location in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Instagram/ Its signature coffees boast a diverse range of flavour profiles with mainly fruity blends, from candied lemon and chocolate to lychee and bourbon. Advertisement Whether you're coming for an early morning latte, a workday pick-me-up or wine nights, the new spot just made it easier to come visit. 129 Queen's Road, Central 2. Twist On Coffee Club Twist on Coffee is the newest pet-friendly spot in Hong Kong. Photo: Instagram/cafehoppingwithmydog On a tranquil corner in To Kwa Wan, a new relaxed coffee shop has opened its doors. As well as Twist On Coffee Club's innovative coffee blends, there are some delicious food choices, including pistachio French toast, beetroot eggs benedict and prawn salad on toast. A major plus is its pet-friendly policy, welcoming furry friends to their indoor and outdoor seating. Advertisement 8 Maidstone Lane, To Kwa Wan 3. Venner
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Whirl powers through Goodwood thunderstorm to ease away with the Nassau Stakes
Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien teamed up for more Group One glory. Photo: Reuters Aidan O'Brien's rising star made light work of difficult conditions on the third day of the elite festival Whirl made quick work of torrential conditions at Glorious Goodwood to win the Group One Nassau Stakes (2,000m) in impressive fashion on Wednesday. Biblical rain, thanks to a heavy thunderstorm, saw racegoers cowering indoors before the race, and the Nassau itself was delayed for 10 minutes with lightning in the area. None of that – including a flag start due to safety concerns – fazed Aidan O'Brien's $1.7 favourite, who went straight to the lead under Ryan Moore and was never seriously challenged. A filly ON A ROLL 🟦🟧 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒍 bags a second Group 1 as she runs away with the @Qatar_Racing Nassau Stakes.@WorldPool | @Goodwood_Races — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2025 Moore bagged the coveted stand's rail as he led the field into the straight and powered through the mud to record back-to-back Group One wins, leaving Cercene trailing five lengths behind in second for trainer Joseph Murphy. The race was billed as a clash between Whirl and the Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire, but that battle never materialised after the latter blew the flag start and could only finish third. 'She's understated – that's just her nature. She's been coming along in the shadows and nothing seems to bother her,' O'Brien told Racing Post. 'She's hardy and keeps turning up. She's pretty unusual and has an unbelievable mind. She didn't even know she'd had a race.' He started in the sunshine but finished in a storm 🌧️ Coventry Stakes 3rd Coppull stays on strongly up the stands' rail to land the G2 Richmond Stakes 🟥⬜️@davidprobert9 | @Qatar_Racing | @Goodwood_Races — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 31, 2025 On the same card, Coppull also braved the conditions for a convincing win in the Group Two Richmond Stakes (1,400m). Clive Cox's debut winner ran a brilliant race to finish third in the Group Two Coventry Stakes (1,400m) at Royal Ascot and took another step forward to record a facile all-the-way two-length success up the stand's rail. 'I was worried about soft ground because he's got such a beautiful action on a nice surface. He's very quick and did that really well,' Cox told Racing TV. 'I think he's very gifted and he's a proper six-furlong horse so usual plans from here, Middle Park will be the end goal.'
