Longines Hong Kong Vase
Overseas raiders have dominated the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase over the past decade, with EXULTANT in 2018 the only locally trained winner. Since then, European and Japanese contenders have each lifted the trophy three times. This year’s edition once again boasts strong international representation, headlined by several proven Group 1 performers.
Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien adopts an unusually streamlined approach, relying on a single runner: multiple Group 1 winner LOS ANGELES. The talented son of Camelot has scored seven times from 15 starts, including three victories at the highest level. His recent form, however, is mixed, having missed the placings in four runs since winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at Curragh in May. Should he rediscover his peak, he remains a genuine contender. Adding further depth is AL RIFFA, trained by Aidan’s eldest son Joseph O’Brien. Winner of the Group 1 Irish St Leger two starts ago and a respectable seventh in the Melbourne Cup last time out, he arrives with top staying credentials. With regular jockey Dylan McMonagle aboard, he is expected to run boldly.
Defending champion GIAVELLOTTO bids to become the first back-to-back Vase winner since 2008 for trainer Marco Botti. The six-year-old appears to be peaking at the right time, having finished a strong fourth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in his most recent outing. France’s champion trainer André Fabre also presents a major threat with SOSIE, who completed a Group 1 double at Longchamp earlier in the year and has placed in both runs this preparation, including a meritorious third in the Arc.
Japan’s sole representative, URBAN CHIC, is no stranger to elite company. Winner of last year’s Group 1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), he flashed home for fifth in the Group 1 Tenno Sho Autumn in early November and looks capable of producing another strong performance.
Longines Hong Kong Sprint
Despite an elite field of 13 top-class sprinters, all eyes will be on superstar KA YING RISING in the HK$28 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin this Sunday afternoon.
The defending champion has only strengthened his claim as the world’s best sprinter since last year’s triumph, stamping his authority on the global stage with a stunning victory in the AU$20 million Group 1 Everest at Randwick in October—his first overseas assignment. Given Australia’s reputation for producing the deepest sprinting ranks in the world, that win meant far more than its staggering prize money. He then returned to Hong Kong and, true to script, effortlessly dispatched a Group 2 field in the Jockey Club Sprint on 23 November.
If KA YING RISING turns up in his usual form on Sunday, the race could easily become a contest for the minor placings. Japanese raider SATONO REVE, third in this event last year, again profiles as a key place chance after finishing fourth in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama last start. His fellow runner WIN CARNELIAN, who caused a major upset in that same race, looks capable of producing another forward showing given his positive racing style.
Among the local brigade, HELIOS EXPRESS, LUCKY SWEYNESSE, and FAST NETWORK all boast strong place prospects. HELIOS EXPRESS has chased KA YING RISING home on several occasions and typically finishes powerfully off a solid pace. Former Hong Kong premier sprinter LUCKY SWEYNESSE is showing signs of rediscovering his peak form and commands respect, while FAST NETWORK—who outran his rating to finish second in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint—remains an intriguing contender with two-time reigning Longines World’s Best Jockey James McDonald sticking with the ride.
Longines Hong Kong Mile
In contrast to the dominance of overseas raiders in the Hong Kong Vase, the HK$36 million Hong Kong Mile has increasingly become a stage for home-based contenders, with only two Japanese winners in the past decade.
Defending champion VOYAGE BUBBLE has gone from strength to strength since capturing this feature last year, becoming only the second horse to sweep Hong Kong’s Triple Crown for older horses. He arrives here off a solid second to ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile, after which connections opted for the Mile rather than the Hong Kong Cup—a decision that now looks well judged. Another leading local hope is GALAXY PATCH, who burst back to top form when storming home to win the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile. With champion jockey James McDonald retaining the ride, he appears primed to claim his first Group 1 victory. MY WISH also comes through the same formline, finishing fourth after earlier landing two Group races this season. He likely raced too close to a strong tempo last start, and with a more patient ride, he is capable of turning the tables.
Japan mounts a strong challenge once again. SOUL RUSH, runner-up in this race last year, has missed the frame only once in five starts since and was outstanding when defeating ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in April. Rising star filly EMBROIDERY also commands attention. A two-time Group 1 winner with five victories from eight starts, she arrives off a powerful success in the Group 1 Shuka Sho at Kyoto.
Ireland is represented by THE LION IN WINTER, a progressive three-year-old colt trained by Aidan O’Brien. Already placed four times at Group 1 level from six attempts, he continues to improve, and his eye-catching third in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile last start makes him a compelling dark horse in this year’s renewal.
Longines Hong Kong Cup
The HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) is the showpiece of HKIR, and this year Hong Kong superstar ROMANTIC WARRIOR bids for a history-making fourth consecutive victory. He headlines a seven-horse field featuring two Japanese raiders and two European contenders.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR etched his name into history in 2024 when becoming the first horse to win three editions of the Longines Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong’s richest race. He then embarked on a successful Middle East campaign, taking the Group 1 Jebel Hatta before finishing second in both the Group 1 Saudi Cup and Group 1 Dubai Turf. A fetlock surgery in May sidelined him for six months, but he returned in style three weeks ago in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup, comfortably accounting for a strong field including VOYAGE BUBBLE. That authoritative win suggests he is right on target for a remarkable fourth Cup triumph this Sunday.
Between the Japanese duo, BELLAGIO OPERA stands out as the leading hope. The two-time Group 1 winner has not raced since his courageous second in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen in June, which followed his dominant victory in the Group 1 Osaka Hai. His first-up record—four wins and three placings from nine attempts—further enhances his profile, and a bold fresh run looks likely. Fellow runner ROUSHAM PARK, although yet to win at the top level, has gone close and are capable of breaking through.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, GALEN was last seen making the running and finishing a brave second in the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy first-up. With that run under his belt, additional improvement is expected, even against elite opposition. Talented French mare QUISISANA also warrants respect. A Group 1 winner of the Prix Jean Romanet in August, she subsequently finished ninth in the Arc before running third on British Champions Day. With top jockey Christophe Soumillon aboard, she poses a genuine threat.
