Minnie Hauk And Giavellotto Take On The World’s Best, As Longines HKIR Entries Released

[Wandering Eyes]

A total of 33 UK and Irish raiders–including 2024 G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman), and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second Minnie Hauk (Frankel)–are among the entries for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 14. Offering record prize-money of HK130 million (£12.7 million), the race day has drawn 185 horses–70 of them top-level winners for the four Group 1 races.

Can Europe Secure The Cup?

In the HK$40-million (£3.9 million) Longines Hong Kong Cup over 2000 meters, Aidan O'Brien has Minnie Hauk, The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) and Los Angeles (Camelot) among others versus former Hong Kong Horse of the Year and three-time Cup winner Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) and Hong Kong Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) for the home defense. Andrew Balding saddles See The Fire (Sea The Stars), who will remain in training next year. From France, the stalwarts Calandagan (Gleneagles), a winner of the G1 Champion Stakes last out, and Goliath (Adlerflug) have signed on, as well as Quisisana (Le Havre) and Facteur Cheval (Ribchester). Francis-Henri Graffard has the first three, with Jerome Reynier the trainer of Facteur Cheval.

Australian's golden girl Via Sistina is one of two top-flight winners entered for Fastnet Rock alongside Buckaroo, who are both trained by Chris Waller. Japan's staggering 29 Cup entries include Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), Durezza (Duramente), Tastiera (Satono Crown) and the recent G1 Shuka Sho heroine Embroidery (Admire Mars). Both Gold Phoenix (Belardo) and She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) represent the U.S. for Phil D'Amato and Cherie DeVaux, respectively.

Ka Ying Still On The Rise?

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) is coming into the HK$28-million (£2.7 million) Longines Hong Kong Sprint in ferocious form after taking Australia's G1 The Everest on the road earlier this month. Rated top of the world among sprinters, the gelding is trained by David Hayes and won this event in 2024.

He will face no less than 12 top-flight winners, with Adrian Murray sending the Amo Racing duo of Arizona Blaze (Ten Sovereigns) and Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett). Mick Appleby's Big Mojo (Mohaather), Charlie Hills's Khaadem (Dark Angel)–currently competing in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint this weekend–and James Fanshawe's Kind Of Blue (Blue Point). G1 Prix de l'Abbaye third She's Quality (Acclamation) is also entered for Jack Davison.

Giavellotto Aims For Second Vase

Giavellotto is gunning for his second consecutive HK$26-million (£2.5 million) Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) for trainer Marco Botti. He faces the 2023 winner Junko (Intello) for Andre Fabre and Charlie Appleby's two-time GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi). Arc third Sosie (Sea The Stars) has been entered by Fabre, as well. Graffard has Calandagan, Goliath and Quisisana cross-entered here, and it is the same story for Croix Du Nord and Durezza, among others. Besides Los Angeles and Minnie Hauk for Ireland, Joseph O'Brien fields Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett), who is pleasing his connections ahead of a G1 Melbourne Cup bid next Tuesday. William Haggas has the multiple Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) in the line up. Via Sistina is one of 13 entered for Australia in the Vase.

Mile Treasure's For The Taking?

Although she holds an entry in the Cup, four-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) holds first preference in the HK$36-million (£3.5 million) Longines Hong Kong Mile for Matt Laurie. Voyage Bubble, as well as G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes longshot winner Cicero's Gift (Muhaarar), and Royal Ascot G1 winner Docklands (Massaat) are also lined up.  Voyage Bubble has been cross-entered here, as well.

G1 Prix du Moulin hero Sahlan (Wootton Bassett), who has an entry in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile is also engaged here for Graffard. If he wins, he would be the first French winner since Jim And Tonic (Double Bed) in 1998.

For the complete Longines HKIR entries, please click here.

Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, HKJC, said, “We are delighted with the entries and support from our international friends for the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. Hong Kong's very best horses will once again face off with world racing's elite, setting the scene for another incredible day of sporting action at Sha Tin on 14 December.

“Our global champions Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising will both aim to enhance their standing among the very best of world racing, while rising star My Wish continues to impress on his mission towards the Longines Hong Kong International Races with Group 2 and Group 3 wins. We are confident that this year's entry will deliver yet another memorable Longines Hong Kong International Races – which sees a record purse of HK$130 million up for grabs across the four Group 1 contests.”

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