The 2026 Hong Kong International Races has attracted a world-class entry of 142 horses, including 36 individual Group 1 winners, as leading runners from across the globe prepare for one of the most prestigious meetings on the international racing calendar. The eagerly anticipated event will take place at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 13 December, with four elite contests carrying a combined prize fund of HK$130 million.
The meeting, widely regarded as the Turf World Championships, will feature four Group 1 races: the Hong Kong Cup over 2000 metres, carrying HK$40 million; the Hong Kong Mile over 1600 metres, worth HK$36 million; the Hong Kong Sprint over 1200 metres, offering HK$28 million; and the Hong Kong Vase over 2400 metres, with HK$26 million in prize money.
The impressive entry list includes several established international champions and emerging stars, among them Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble, Benvenuto Cellini, Diamond Necklace, Lambourn, Masquerade Ball, Giavellotto, Almaqam, Land Legend, Sir Delius, Kingswood, Puro Magic, Star Anise, Docklands, Erdenali and Embroidery. Their presence underlines the international depth of this year’s nominations, with Group 1 winners from Royal Ascot, the Breeders’ Cup and other major racing festivals represented.
Ka Ying Rising Targets Historic Third Hong Kong Sprint Victory
The standout name among the entries is Ka Ying Rising, who heads the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a rating of 135. The dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year, recognised for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, will aim to become the first horse to win the Hong Kong Sprint three consecutive times.
The champion sprinter captured the 2024 and 2025 editions, with both victories forming part of an extraordinary 21-race unbeaten sequence. During that remarkable period, Ka Ying Rising established six course records at Sha Tin and collected nine Group 1 victories.
Hong Kong’s leading sprinters will once again face a demanding challenge in their attempt to end his dominance. Japan’s Puro Magic, fresh from victory in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes over 1200 metres, could make a first appearance at Sha Tin. World’s End, Sound Moryana, Star Anise and Red Mon Reve, who finished behind Puro Magic in that contest, are also among the entries.
Voyage Bubble and My Wish Lead Hong Kong’s Mile and Cup Hopes
Six-time Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble is another major attraction. One of only three horses in Hong Kong racing history to complete the Triple Crown, the accomplished runner is entered for the Hong Kong Cup after winning the Hong Kong Mile in both 2024 and 2025.
Numbers, runner-up in the 2026 Hong Kong Derby over 2000 metres, holds dual entries for the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase.
My Wish, meanwhile, arrives with a Group 1 victory in April’s FWD Champions Mile. After finishing sixth in last year’s Hong Kong Mile, the latest home-grown Group 1 winner will attempt to extend Hong Kong’s winning sequence in the prestigious mile contest to seven consecutive editions.
Galaxy Patch, a dual Group 1-placed performer, is also targeting the Hong Kong Mile as he seeks an elusive first victory at the highest level after two previous unsuccessful attempts in the race.
Other Hong Kong-trained contenders include Helios Express, Little Paradise, Beauty Joy, Beauty Waves, Copartner Prance, Crimson Flash, Ensued, Fast Network, Ka Ying Attack, Light Years Charm, Patch Of Theta and Raging Blizzard.
International Stars Strengthen Hong Kong Mile Entries
The Hong Kong Mile has attracted a particularly strong international contingent. Erdenali, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, is among the notable European entries after winning four of five starts, including the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600 metres. He defeated Ten Bob Tony and Gstaad in that contest and is scheduled to contest the Mile Championship at Kyoto on 22 November before a possible journey to Hong Kong.
Japan’s Sixpence, winner of the 2026 Group 1 Yasuda Kinen, also features in the entries alongside Embroidery, Admire Zoom and Ask Ikigomi.
Andrew Balding’s Group 1 winner Never So Brave is another contender, while Docklands, a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot, holds entries for both the Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Cup.
Strong Middle-Distance Field for the Hong Kong Cup
The Hong Kong Cup has received a formidable collection of middle-distance performers. Masquerade Ball, who finished second to Romantic Warrior in April’s Group 1 FWD QEII Cup and runner-up to Calandagan in the 2025 Japan Cup, is entered for both the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase.
Almaqam is another leading name. The winner of the 2026 Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh finished second to Item in the International Stakes at York and has established himself among the leading middle-distance performers. Ed Walker’s charge is expected to target the Hong Kong Cup.
The race will, however, be without Romantic Warrior, who won four consecutive editions between 2022 and 2025. His absence will create an opportunity for a new name to emerge in the prestigious 2000-metre contest.
Military Order, entered by Charlie Appleby, is another notable nomination. He is scheduled to contest the Group 1 Bahrain International Trophy on 13 November, alongside fellow Hong Kong Cup entries Glacius and Wimbledon Hawkeye.
Sir Delius, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, holds entries for both the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase. George Boughey has also nominated Survie for the two contests.
Japanese trainer Yuichi Fukunaga is looking to return to Sha Tin in a different capacity after his successful career as a jockey. His Group 1 Tenno Sho Autumn runner-up Nebra Disk is entered for the Hong Kong Cup.
Land Legend, trained by Ciaron Maher and raced by Hong Kong owner Boniface Ho, is another interesting contender. The winner of October’s Group 1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield in record time has been nominated for both the Cup and Vase.
Hong Kong Vase Attracts Proven International Performers
The 2400-metre Hong Kong Vase has also drawn considerable international interest.
Giavellotto, winner of the 2024 edition, is seeking another successful visit to Sha Tin after finishing second to Sosie last year. Trainer Marco Botti is planning a return following the horse’s Group 2 success at Royal Ascot in June.
Kingswood strengthened his international credentials with victory in the 2026 Group 1 Caulfield Cup. Trainer Gavin Bedggood is considering a Hong Kong campaign for the grey, who could face fellow Group 1 winners Durezza, Urban Chic and Going To Sky, winner of the 2026 Kikuka Sho over 3000 metres.
Enfjaar, trained by Roger Varian and third in the Caulfield Cup, is another possible Vase contender following a 15th-place finish in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
Aidan O’Brien has entered an impressive collection of runners, including Benvenuto Cellini, winner of the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, along with Minnie Hauk, Lambourn and Diamond Necklace. All four are nominated for both the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase, while Queenstown is entered exclusively for the Vase.
O’Brien’s other nominations include Puerto Rico and True Love for the Hong Kong Mile.
Joseph O’Brien is also looking towards another visit to Sha Tin, with Galen among his entries after finishing fourth in the 2025 Hong Kong Cup. Bright Light, Goodie Two Shoes, James J Braddock, Omni Man, Sons And Lovers and Trustyourinstinct complete his list of nominations.
With 142 horses representing an outstanding collection of international talent, the 2026 Hong Kong International Races promises a compelling meeting at Sha Tin on 13 December. The final declarations will determine the strength of each field, but the entries have already established the prospect of high-quality international competition across all four Group 1 contests.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.
