Goliath Leads European Challenge on FWD Champions Day

[Wandering Eyes]

Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), the fourth highest-rated horse in the world in 2024, will spearhead the European challenge on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 27, with a record HK$74 million (£7.4m) on offer across three Group 1 races.

Goliath will add a fourth jurisdiction to his record as Resolute Racing's globetrotter lines up in the HK$28 million (£2.8m) G1 FWD QEII Cup. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the five-year-old made the breakthrough at the top level when winning last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, beating the subsequent G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) by two and a quarter lengths.

Meanwhile, William Haggas is set to saddle two runners on the card in Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) and Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never). Dubai Honour will be making his fifth trip to Hong Kong, with his previous efforts at Sha Tin including a third-place finish in the 2023 QEII Cup and second in December's G1 Hong Kong Vase. Last seen winning the G1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill earlier this month, Dubai Honour is due to make his next appearance in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick, while the HK$24 million (£2.4m) G1 FWD Champions Mile is the next port of call for Lake Forest, who won the A$10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill on his most recent start.

The European trio will face competition from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Bahrain, as well as a strong local Hong Kong challenge.

Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) feature in a three-strong challenge from Japan in the QEII Cup. Prognosis filled the runner-up spot behind Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in last year's renewal, while Liberty Island and Tastiera finished second and third, respectively, behind the same horse in December's G1 Hong Kong Cup.

El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}), a four-time Group 1 winner in New Zealand, is set to make his first appearance on the international stage, while the recent Hong Kong Derby winner, Cap Ferrat (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), heads the seven local Hong Kong entries.

In the FWD Champions Mile, defending champion Beauty Eternal (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), four-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Hong Kong Derby runner-up My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus} all feature in a formidable home team.

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars {Aus}), a nine-time Group 1 winner in Australia, is likely to be another leading contender, along with Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is set to join him on the journey from down under after being beaten just a short head on his most recent start in the G1 Doncaster Mile.

David Hayes's sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ})–Sha Tin's current 1,200-metre track record holder–chases a fourth Group 1 success in the HK$22 million (£2.2m) Chairman's Sprint Prize. Victory there would see him secure the HK$5 million Speed Series bonus after his wins in the first two legs of the three-race challenge in 2025; the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup and G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup.

The last two winners of the Chairman's Sprint Prize, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) and Invincible Sage (Aus) (Thronum {Aus}), will be among those standing in Ka Ying Rising's way, along with a Japanese quartet led by Group 1 winners Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}).

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “FWD Champions Day is one of the preeminent fixtures on world racing's calendar. We are delighted to have world-class representation from overseas and Hong Kong at our spring flagship meeting. With 16 visitors from around the world, including Mr Brightside and Goliath, the might of Hong Kong's team will be tested across the three Group 1 features.

“From Hong Kong's perspective, we can't wait to see Ka Ying Rising step out. David Hayes's exceptional sprinter has won his last 11 races, and adds an increasing layer of excitement this year, while Voyage Bubble has emerged and officially stamped his claim as our premier miler and middle-distance galloper–especially in Romantic Warrior's absence in 2025. FWD Champions Day is firmly established as one of world's premier racing events and this year promises to be no exception.”

The post Goliath Leads European Challenge on FWD Champions Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article