Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailed FWD Champions Day as a landmark success for Hong Kong racing after Ka Ying Rising, My Wish and Romantic Warrior completed a clean sweep of the three Group 1 features at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 April).

With Hong Kong’s stars repelling elite international opposition in the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges described the meeting as further proof of Hong Kong’s standing at the pinnacle of world racing.

“I believe this was one of the best – if not the best – race meetings ever in Hong Kong,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

“I want to really thank all our visitors here who made it a special international FWD Champions Day. What we witnessed today in relation to sporting quality, it’s nearly impossible to exceed this.”

“We are delighted that we have the great support of a wonderful sponsor (FWD Hong Kong) as they are the real partner to create what we see as the global racing entertainment.”

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said the feats of Hong Kong runners had made for a “special” occasion and praised the efforts of sprint superstar Ka Ying Rising, who claimed the third leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series with a dominant four-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

“Ka Ying Rising is by far the best horse in the sprinting world that we’ve ever seen. He breaks the track record again. The effortlessness in how he dominates the race against a world-class sprinter in Satono Reve, it is absolutely sensational.”

Ka Ying Rising’s 20th consecutive victory and second straight Hong Kong Speed Series sweep, capped by another Sha Tin 1200m track record, provided one of the day’s defining moments, while Romantic Warrior’s fourth FWD QEII Cup victory enhanced his extraordinary legacy ahead of a possible Triple Crown bid next month.

“When you see the quality of the FWD QEII Cup, I believe this will be, at the end of the year, one of the highest-rated races in the world,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

My Wish’s breakthrough top-level success for trainer Mark Newnham completed the home-team treble and underlined the continuing emergence of Hong Kong’s younger generation.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said the quality of international participation and atmosphere at Sha Tin reinforced FWD Champions Day’s place among the world’s premier race meetings.

“I believe this was what we humbly say is the greatest show on turf, and this is what we aim for.”

Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing, Mr Andrew Harding said the meeting highlighted both Hong Kong’s established champions and the jurisdiction’s ongoing strength in depth.

“When we stage these days, the international quality is absolutely key,” Mr Harding said. “We want to provide excellent racing. Our fans deserve that and we ought to deliver it to them. The quality of the horses that came to compete today is absolutely key to that.”

Photo: HKJC