Jockey James McDonald laps up the love from fans at Sha Tin after Romantic Warrior’s win in the 2024 QEII Cup. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior headline Sunday’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin when the Hong Kong champions bid to extend their unbeaten records this season and repel a strong overseas contingent.
First and second in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior will be short-priced favourites to win the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) and Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) respectively at the city’s second-biggest race day on the calendar.
The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising is expected to make it 20 consecutive victories, having broken Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record of 17 straight wins earlier this year.
While his dominance has scared off some international rivals, multiple Group One winner Satono Reve has returned from Japan for his fourth clash with Ka Ying Rising, while Irish trainer Donnacha O’Brien – the son of legendary trainer Aidan – will also take up the challenge with his galloper, Comanche Brave.
