HONG KONG RACING – CAN IT GET ANY BETTER?

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, December 12, 2023

There have been many famous and memorable iconic trios over many years. Some that come to mind – The Three Stooges, The Three Musketeers, The Three Tenors, The Three Amigos and of course The Supremes.

That leads me nicely into my thoughts of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) where there was a supreme effort and result by Hong Kong.

We look back to FWD Champions Day where the BIG 3 of Hong Kong racing were jubilant – Lucky Sweynesse won the Chairman’s Sprint, Golden Sixty won the FWD Mile, whilst Romantic Warrior won the FWD QEII Cup, all at Group 1 level.

A wonderful result for Hong Kong.

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) saw the same three “Supremes” win again on the biggest day of international racing in Hong Kong.

The first win was when Lucky Sweynesse won the LONGINES HKIR Sprint. Then, in a slashing performance, Golden Sixty won the LONGINES HKIR Mile, whilst Romantic Warrior put up a herculean effort to win the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

Look at the three “Supremes” of Hong Kong racing presently – they have won 19 Group 1 races now between them – impressive! They are each rated in the top 10 in the world in the latest thoroughbred global rankings, updated after the HKIR races at Sha Tin. They have collectively won stakes in their careers totalling HK$356,165,584.

Then the win of another local champion in Vincent Ho in the LONGINES Hong Kong International Jockeys Championship (IJC) was another highlight.

The achievements of Hong Kong Racing were astonishing.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club presides over a racing precinct that is second to none - the amenities, the entertainment, and the way they engage with the public and punters. The venues are superb, the action on and off the track is vibrant.

Racing is back in Hong Kong after the hiatus of COVID!

Look at the crowd figures of 65,252 and you will see that the connection between the racegoers and the sport has never been stronger.

This is factually supported by the HK$1.679 billion in turn over on the LONGINES HKIR ten race program at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and his amazing team can take a bow for the ever-on-going, progressive attitude they employ to keep racing moving forward at such a pace in Hong Kong.

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