Latest news with #FWDChampionsDay
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Horse racing proves clear winner for Hong Kong in tourism stakes
Hong Kong's bet that horse racing and other sports can help the city become a premier destination for high-end travellers appears to be paying off. Recent success at the track and with overseas outreach should spur authorities to keep drawing visitors. Advertisement Nearly 10,000 tourists, a record turnout, were in the stands at Sha Tin Racecourse for FWD Champions Day on Sunday. The Jockey Club said the nearly 42,000-strong crowd was 37.5 per cent larger than the previous year. More than 8,000 visitors were from the mainland, and nearly 1,100 from overseas. About 200 high-net-worth people from Japan attended. Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said numbers were boosted by collaboration with China Travel Service and a pilot initiative to draw high-end visitors. He predicted more in the coming weeks as the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) gets involved. Packages that include visits to racecourses in the city and on the mainland are being organised with China Travel Service to boost tourism and ultimately develop the market in the Greater Bay Area development zone. Advertisement The club's Conghua facility in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, will start hosting regular races in 2026.
South China Morning Post
29-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Voyage Bubble to target Triple Crown after shock defeat: ‘we're aiming to run him'
Voyage Bubble (right) and Red Lion fight out the finish of Sunday's Group One Champions Mile. Photo: Kenneth Chan Voyage Bubble is 'likely' to stake his claim for Hong Kong Horse of the Year honours by attempting to become only the second galloper to sweep the Triple Crown in next month's Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m). An agonising second behind $90 chance Red Lion in Sunday's Group One Champions Mile, Voyage Bubble will look to join River Verdon as a Triple Crown winner after earlier victories in the Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m) and Group One Gold Cup (2,000m). 'It was a real shame but he still ran well,' said trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai of Voyage Bubble's short-head defeat. 'He will most likely head to the 2,400m – we're aiming to run him.' Ka Ying Rising surely heads the Horse of the Year running after four Group One victories this season and Romantic Warrior must also be in the conversation after elite-level victories at home and abroad. RED LION ROARS! 🦁 It's an 89/1 shocker in the FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin for @HugeBowman and John Size as Red Lion lands his first Group 1 over Voyage Bubble... #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 But a Champions & Chater Cup success would put the perennially underrated Voyage Bubble right in the frame, with victory drawing him level with Ka Ying Rising on four Group One triumphs in 2024-25. And Yiu may have another genuine Group One contender on his hands after Sunlight Power flashed home for third in the Champions Mile in his first appearance at the top level. 'Sunlight Power was a bit of surprise but he keeps performing every time,' said Yiu, confirming the five-year-old would next be seen in the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on May 31. Catch the Express It worked for Cape Of Good Hope and connections of Helios Express must seriously be considering their options abroad for a horse who has placed behind Ka Ying Rising seven times this season. After a prolonged period of playing second fiddle to the great Silent Witness, Cape Of Good Hope was sent on the road, bagging Group One victories in Australia and the United Kingdom from 12 races overseas. Hugh Bowman labelled Helios Express' effort in Sunday's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) 'his best run of the preparation' but he was still two and a half lengths adrift of Ka Ying Rising. David Hayes declared second placegetter Satono Reve 'probably the second-best sprinter in the world at the moment' and Helios Express was only a quarter of a length off the Japanese galloper. 'Helios, what a great horse he's been this year,' said Hayes. 'He just keeps putting his run up. I think he would be a multiple Group One winner if he was back home in Australia.' HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀 Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 While the HK$16.3 million Helios Express has bagged for connections this season is certainly not to be sneezed at, he's too good to finish his career without a Group One success on his CV. The challenge now is finding a race that Ka Ying Rising, and perhaps Satono Reve, aren't in. The Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) in Japan in September is one of the more obvious options, but the chances of Satono Reve being there would seem high, while the Group One Manikato Stakes (1,200m) in Melbourne around the same time could be a nice fit with Ka Ying Rising expected to be first up in October's The Everest. Or perhaps connections wait and target the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) in Dubai next March – a race in which Helios Express' trainer, John Size, has had runners in the past three years. Hayes pointed out on more than one occasion on Sunday that Ka Ying Rising is only a four-year-old and is just getting started. Hanging around in Hong Kong and hoping for the best seems a fruitless exercise for Helios Express.
Japan Forward
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Hong Kong Racing: Tastiera Returns to Top Level with Victory in QEII Cup
Damian Lane guided Tastiera to a 1¾-length victory over Prognosis in the lucrative 2,000-meter G1 race at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Tastiera, piloted by Damian Lane, triumphs in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 27, 2025. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) It was FWD Champions Day in Hong Kong on Sunday, April 27 and among the competition from around the world, Japan sent eight runners to contest the three G1 races held on the day at Sha Tin Racecourse. Prior to the big event, it looked as if Japan's best chance of a win might come in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (aka QEII Cup), a race that has given the country winners on numerous occasions, with the most recent being Loves Only You in 2021. Three of Japan's best middle-distance horses were entered for the race, and each one of them was looking to find a way to get their careers back on track, having not quite lived up to expectations recently. The 2025 QEII Cup looked to be at the mercy of one of the Japanese runners, but they would have to beat the French-trained Goliath, winner of the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, and a respectable sixth-place getter in the Japan Cup, the last time he ran, when connections felt things didn't go his way. It was Tastiera that proved to be the best of the Japan-trained runners, with the 2023 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) champion winning the QEII Cup under jockey Damian Lane, riding once again for trainer Noriyuki Hori. Always racing in a handy position, Tastiera went on to win comfortably. Lane had nothing but praise for the trainer: "He's an amazing conditioner of horses, and I just feel privileged and lucky to be here on these days, as well as getting to ride these top horses. It's very rewarding." Hori was also pleased with the outcome. "It's been a while since the horse has shown his best here in Hong Kong," Hori said. "With the different environment, it's not always easy to bring out the best in him. Maurice has been the only horse I've brought here that could win at the first attempt. I have to thank Damian as well, being a key man for our stable." Japan's other two runners in the race, Prognosis and Liberty Island, both trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, couldn't match up to the might of Tastiera. Prognosis, ridden by James McDonald, finished second in the race for the third consecutive year. Liberty Island, a multiple G1 winner in Japan, had to be pulled up by jockey Yuga Kawada, just when it seemed the horse might have a chance turning for home. According to Jiji Press, Liberty Island was diagnosed with a torn ligament in her left foreleg. After the race, the 5-year-old was euthanized. Ka Ying Rising (Zac Purton's ride) claims victory in the Chairman's Sprint Prize. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) The first of the G1 races on the day, the Chairman's Sprint Prize, saw Japan field four runners in a bid to lower the colors of champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising. But the 4-year-old gelding, trained by David Hayes, proved to be just that and some more, when running away with the 1,200 meters contest. Before the race, Joao Moreira, hot off G1 success in Japan, thought he might be able to get a bit closer to the champion on Satono Reve (also trained by Hori). But it was just wishful thinking, even though he was still pleased with this year's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner. "We've probably just bumped into the best sprinter in the world," the Brazilian ace commented. "I couldn't have been happier though, with the way my horse performed." Japan's other runners, Lugal, Danon McKinley and A Shin Fencer, all started slowly, although the latter was driven up to be closer to the pace by jockey Craig Williams. And while Lugal and Danon McKinley gained ground on the inside later in the race, they were certainly no match for the latest sprint sensation in Hong Kong, who won in a time of 1 minute, 7.88 seconds, 2¼ lengths ahead of Satono Reve. Not too much was lost in defeat, with winning jockey Zac Purton saying: "I applaud the Japanese. They're willing to travel and take anyone on anywhere in the world." FWD Champions Mile winner Red Lion (left) and runner-up Voyage Bubble compete in Hong Kong. (©The Hong Kong Jockey Club/via SANKEI) Gaia Force was the other runner for Japan on the day, and he contested the G1 FWD Champions Mile. Up against the likes of Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble and Australia's Mr Brightside, the striking 6-year-old grey by Kitasan Black put in a good run before fading to ninth at the finish. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama shrugged off the wide draw for the horse, and he looked to be right, with Kawada getting Gaia Force into a good position, where he could run to suit his racing style. He was, however, unable to keep up the momentum, with longshot Red Lion and Voyage Bubble doing battle to the line, and it was Hugh Bowman on the outsider that just prevailed, but he did have to survive a stewards' inquiry. Of Gaia Force, Kawada said: "He started well and kept up the pressure, but just lost some power towards the end." Official results: Sprint, Mile, Cup Please visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club website for the latest news and further information. Author: JRA News
News.com.au
27-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ka Ying Rising wins 12 straight, into evens for The Everest
The world's best sprinter is now an even money favourite to annex the world's richest turf race. The Everest still might be six months away but Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising left no doubt that he's the top seed for the $20m showpiece at Royal Randwick in October with a devastating victory in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising made it 12 straight wins in the sprint feature, with champion jockey Zac Purton giving the superstar four-year-old a dream ride in transit. 'He did it easy today, didn't even change his leg,' Purton said. 'He's getting better and better now. The next one (The Everest) is the big one.' In the aftermath of his slashing Chairman's Sprint triumph, Ka Ying Rising firmed from $2.50 into $2.00 in all-in betting for The Everest. "He's the Usain Bolt of the equine world!" âš¡ Ka Ying Rising DOMINATES in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin! ðŸ�† — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2025 • Drama as $101 pop denies Voyage Bubble after objection The idea of taking such odds so far out almost seems unthinkable, but seeing is believing, and it's clear that a fit and firing Ka Ying Rising is a level or two above his opposition, both locally and abroad. It's expected his slot pathway to contest the signature event at Royal Randwick on October 18 will be formally announced shortly. Following the victory, trainer David Hayes said his star sprinter will go for a well earned spell before an all out assault on The Everest. 🗣ï¸� "He's had a perfect prep and the perfect season." David Hayes chats after Ka Ying Rising equalled Beauty Generation and Lucky Sweynesse with eight wins this term! 🙌 #FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 'He'll go straight up to the spelling paddock now, he loves it up there,' Hayes said. 'He'll have a month to himself, going out in the beautiful day paddocks. 'Then we'll start targeting him, having him ready to race at the start of next season with The Everest in mind.' Ka Ying Rising, last beaten in February 2024, started a raging hot $1.03 favourite in Sunday's Chairman's Sprint in which he defeated Satono Reve and Helios Express in almost effortless fashion.
New Paper
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Ka Ying Rising to The Everest
The FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on April 27 delivered in spades on its slogan of a day to "celebrate champions", but probably more so in the HK$22 million (S$3.7 million) Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m) with another smashing display by the World's Best Sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. Without taking anything away from the winners of the two other Group 1s, Japan's Tastiera (Damian Lane) in the HK$28 million FWD QEII Cup (2,000m) and surprise local winner (won in the stewards' room) Red Lion (Hugh Bowman) in the HK$24 million FWD Champions Mile (1,600m), a 12th consecutive win carved with such arrogance at the highest level by the horse David Hayes has already called the "best horse he has ever trained" was the real showstopper. Besides picking up a HK$12 million cheque for the win, the Shamexpress four-year-old also made a clean sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series to collect a HK$5 million bonus with previous wins in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m). Four horses pulled off the Triple Crown before - Mr Vitality (1995/96), Grand Delight (2002/03), Silent Witness (2003/04 and 2004/05) and Lucky Sweynesse (2022/23), the previous World's Best Sprinter, who was at his racing comeback in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, finishing a gallant sixth. The coronation of a new sprint king could not have been more emblematic from the way the $5.30 favourite was cuddled to the line by Zac Purton before being eased down to win by 2¼ lengths from Japan's Satono Reve (Joao Moreira) and Helios Express (Bowman). Hong Kong's superstar has taken all before him on home soil, but the biggest test - and payday - awaits next at his first overseas raid in the world's richest turf race, the A$20 million (S$16.8 million) Group 1 The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick in Sydney on Oct 18. "What more can you say? Every time you come out here, he produces something special," said Purton to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "He did that again today and he didn't even change his leg. He puts them away very quickly. "He can have a break now and the next one is the big one." Hayes said that Ka Ying Rising would now go straight to Conghua, Hong Kong Jockey Club's training centre in mainland China, for a well-deserved rest. "He loves it up there, and he'll have a month to himself going out in the beautiful day paddocks," said the Australian trainer. "Then we'll start targeting to hopefully have him ready to race at the start of next season with The Everest in mind." Two races later, the Champions Mile was decided in the stewards' room, but the Bauhinia flag would fly high again, either way. Two local horses fought out the finish. The John Size-trained Red Lion outbobbed favourite Voyage Bubble (James McDonald) by a short head for a shock $454 upset, but had to wait for stewards to dismiss McDonald's objection for interference in the last strides. The flop of the race was Australia's top horse Mr Brightside (Craig Williams), who faded to last place. The third showpiece was, however, an all-overseas affair, with Japan filling the first two spots with Tastiera ($18) and Prognosis (McDonald) with Bahrain's Calif (Adrie de Vries) third. manyan@
