Hong Kong Racing: A Trip Worth Making

Wandering Eyes · 2025-12-11T14:47:23Z

HONG KONG, CHINA — There is likely never a bad time for a horse racing fan to visit Hong Kong, which conducts racing twice a week alternating between a pair of breathtakingly beautiful racetracks, but the action is extra special this week. It kicked off Wednesday night with the Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley–a racetrack which fairly glitters against a backdrop of skyscrapers–and will conclude Sunday with four Group 1 races comprising the Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

Even before the jockey championship–which pitted 12 world-class jockeys against each other in a four-race series–got started in Wednesday's fourth race, the track was buzzing with Jockey Club members dressed to the nines juxtaposed with a less formal 'Happy Wednesday' crowd in the trackside beer garden.

In the end it was Ryan Moore dramatically coming back from injury to register his third victory in the championship and his first since 2010. Moore won the second of the four races on the front-running Corleone (Aus) (Dundeel {NZ}) and was part of a four-way tie heading into the final race of the championship where he got the appropriately named longshot Triumphant More (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) up in time to earn the title.

Moore received a rousing welcome back to the winner's circle by the crowd–including one patron loudly (and repeatedly) professing his love for the veteran jockey from above.

“Hong Kong, we've said it for many years, they have the most competitive racing,” Moore told the assembled press later in the night. “And when you have the most competitive racing and you have a strong product and good prize money, that's going to bring the best people here. I've always been very much aware of Hong Kong from a young age and I am very thankful that I got to come back.”

Moore took the time to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans as he walked through the crowd following the night's final race.

Ryan Moore following his IJC victory | Jessica Martini

One well-known rider flying under the radar at Happy Valley was Florent Geroux, who traded racing silks for a suit and tie as a spectator Wednesday. Geroux started riding in Japan under a short-term license just last week and greeted a friend by the walking ring with “Konnichiway,” and a chuckle before switching to his native French. “Ca va?”

With the IJC concluded, racing fans began looking ahead to Sunday's so-called 'turf world championships' at Sha Tin, Happy Valley's sprawling big brother. After a day of gray skies Wednesday, the sun was out in full force and temperatures were well up into the 70s for the post position draw in the track's paddock Thursday.

Much of the attention Sunday will be on a pair of local superstars, with Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), the world's highest-rated sprinter, going postward in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) seeking a record fourth straight win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup following a strong victory in his return to action after a lengthy layoff in the Nov. 23 in the G2 Jockey Club Cup.

Ka Ying Rising became the first overseas horse to win Australia's G1 The Everest Stakes–the world's richest turf race–in October and returned to Hong Kong to win the G2 Jockey Club Sprint just three weeks ago. The 5-year-old is only looking better as he aims for a 16th straight win–and second straight Hong Kong Sprint–Sunday, according to jockey Zac Purton.

“He's come back even better,” Purton said. “He looks stronger, he's put on more muscle. Everything we've seen from him, we've been happy with. I'm really looking forward to this weekend.”

Ka Ying Rising will break from post one in the 13-horse field Sunday.

“The horse jumps fast and he puts him in a spot, and then hopefully he gets a trouble-free run,” trainer David Hayes said after the draw. “You can get blocked in from barrier one. I don't think he will. If he jumps fast, he can have a nice easy run to the home turn.”

James McDonald, who will officially be recognized as the Longines World's Best Jockey during Friday's gala dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be aboard Romantic Warrior, who breaks from post two Sunday.

“It's pretty remarkable to think about what he's trying to achieve,” McDonald said of the 7-year-old's quest for a four-peat. “He has been such a good horse for such a long time. It's a competitive race and he'll have to bring his A-game, but he always brings his best.”

McDonald continued, “He's a funny horse. I've had nothing like it in my life in terms of that I never feel like he's ever going to lose, no matter what. He's just a superb racehorse; he always gives his best, which is most important, he's got a great racing style. It's just a privilege to ride him.”

Ten-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior, a courageous second to Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh in February, was a nose short of Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) when second again in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in April before being sidelined by injury. He was flawless when returning to action three weeks ago.

“I was so sad when he had the surgery,” said trainer Danny Shum. “It was one screw, it wasn't too bad for him, but for me, it was very bad. I'm very proud of him. In Hong Kong, not just racing people, everyone knows him.”

While the international contingent rolling through preparations for Sunday's championship races over Sha Tin's turf and all-weather surfaces Thursday didn't include any American challengers this year, the country was represented by several notable faces trackside, including Breeders' Cup's Drew Fleming and Keeneland's Chip McGaughey. Little Red Feather Racing's Gary Fenton was in attendance, as was bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo, making a Hong Kong stop on an extended work tour of the Far East and Oceania. Bill Nader, who served the Hong Kong Jockey Club for eight years before leaving in 2022 to become president and chief executive officer of Thoroughbred Owners of California, was back on his old stomping grounds and reconnecting with former co-workers.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has made an obvious priority of enhancing the fan experience at its racetrack, particularly looking to appeal to a younger clientele. 'Happy Wednesday' at Happy Valley has become entrenched in the local social scene with fans often staying well after racing concludes. Following Thursday's draw, officials were pleased to show off their latest attraction at Sha Tin. A transformed betting hall opened in September, offering patrons a whimsical, interactive experience–think Roald Dahl goes racing. The four-story enclosure offers fans the chance to interact with AI simulations of Hong Kong legends like Golden Sixty, and pet an eerily lifelike horse who responds to their movements, even an escape room with clues to the name of the Hong Kong star who will provide release. The enclosure also includes several food options, from local favorites to popcorn and chocolate.

No expense is too much for the fan, one official summarized the club's philosophy. And it shows. With high-class racing and attention to every detail, horse racing in Hong Kong is one pilgrimage every racing fan should make.