Connections of Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior head into Sunday’s FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin with supreme confidence as the Hong Kong superstars bid for record-extending Group One victories.
The two highest-rated horses in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 so far, Ka Ying Rising chases a 20th straight victory in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) while Romantic Warrior will bid to win the Group One QEII Cup (2,000m) for a fourth time.
Ka Ying Rising can complete a second consecutive unbeaten season, with the David Hayes-trained sprinter set to jump from barrier three in the field of eight.
“He really hasn’t given us a headache – he’s very straightforward,” Hayes said of his stable star, who has won 20 of his 22 career starts.
“The barrier with the small field, obviously closer to the rail the better but he’s proven he can overcome a wide gate. It’s a nice, small field and with his tactical speed, if they go really fast Zac [Purton] will take a sit, and if they go slow he’ll probably lead.”
Champion jockey Purton shares Hayes’ confidence as Ka Ying Rising defends his Chairman’s Sprint Prize crown against familiar foes Helios Express and Japan’s Satono Reve.
“He’s been really good. Obviously he put up a career-best performance last start in what I thought were difficult conditions,” Purton said in reference to Ka Ying Rising’s track-record victory in the Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) on April 6.
“It was surprising he could run that time because the times that day were slow. He’s fresh, he looks good and he’s ready to go on Sunday.
“He never, ever does anything different – he just works great all the time, his action’s always beautiful, he pulls up like he’s just been out for a canter and he recovers very quickly. His athletic and aerobic ability is what sets him apart from the other horses.”
While Ka Ying Rising is certain to start favourite again at $1.05 – the minimum price that can be offered by the Jockey Club – Romantic Warrior might not be as short, though expectations remain high for the 13-time Group One winner.
In one of the most anticipated editions of the HK$30 million QEII Cup in many years, Romantic Warrior takes on the likes of Japanese star Masquerade Ball, France’s multiple Group One victor Sosie and British galloper Royal Champion.
“I think in 15-to-20 years, this is the strongest QEII Cup in Hong Kong. We are very happy so many good horses have come – it’s going to be fun,” Shum said.
“I have confidence. He’s a legend, I can tell you. He’s a super legend and my stable team really look after him.”
Romantic Warrior, the world’s highest-earning racehorse of all time with HK$254.66 million in prize money, has drawn barrier five in the field of eight. He will again be ridden by James McDonald.
“After having won 13 Group One races, he has surpassed all my expectations. Everything else is just extra, but since he’s eight years old, more and more I treasure this event,” owner Peter Lau Pak-fai said.
“I think this time he faces not only one, not only two but three multi Group One winners, so I think it’s a good opportunity for him to show everyone that his world ranked number two is not just on paper.”
The Group One Champions Mile is the most open of Sunday’s three top-level features, with Japan’s Jantar Mantar expected to start favourite ahead of top Hong Kong hopes Lucky Sweynesse, My Wish and Voyage Bubble.
