Happy Valley will glow under the city lights on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, as the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) prepares to stage another captivating night of world-class racing. The iconic valley, where echoes of history meet the heartbeat of modern Hong Kong, will once again transform into a theatre of speed, strategy and soaring ambition. With nine competitive races scheduled and prize money flowing across every contest, anticipation will steadily build toward the evening’s showpiece — Race 9, the DES VOEUX HANDICAP, a feature event offering a lucrative HK$2,050,000 and set to be the ultimate test over 1650 metres.
The curtain will rise at 18:40 with Race 1, the MURRAY HANDICAP, a demanding 1800-metre contest worth $875,000. As the opening act, it will set the tempo for the night, inviting stayers to assert early dominance and giving racegoers their first taste of the drama that Happy Valley so famously delivers.
Momentum will gather quickly at 19:10 when Race 2, the JACKSON HANDICAP, takes centre stage over a sharp 1200 metres with $1,170,000 at stake. Speed and precision will be paramount, as sprinters are expected to flash from the gates in a contest that could be decided in the blink of an eye.
At 19:40, Race 3, the CLUB HANDICAP, will stretch competitors across 1650 metres, again offering $1,170,000 in prize money. This race will demand tactical awareness, as positioning around Happy Valley’s tight turns often proves decisive in races of this nature.
The spotlight will return to sprinting at 20:10 with Race 4, another edition of the JACKSON HANDICAP, contested over 1200 metres for $1,170,000. With similar conditions to earlier sprint events, this race will invite comparisons and ignite debates as punters weigh form lines and running styles.
As the evening deepens, Race 5, THE HONG KONG CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP), will be run at 20:40 over 1650 metres, carrying a prize purse of $1,170,000. This prestigious handicap will blend class and endurance, often producing performances that hint at bigger targets ahead.
The tempo will lift once more at 21:10 with Race 6, the JACKSON HANDICAP, another 1200-metre sprint valued at $1,170,000. By this stage of the card, pressure will intensify, and margins will tighten as connections chase valuable success under the bright Valley lights.
Excitement will peak sharply at 21:45 with Race 7, the CHATER HANDICAP, a thrilling 1000-metre dash boasting a rich $1,860,000 in prize money. Raw speed will take precedence here, and the race is expected to electrify the crowd with its explosive tempo from start to finish.
At 22:15, attention will turn to Race 8, the CONNAUGHT HANDICAP, run over 1200 metres for $1,860,000. Positioned perfectly before the finale, this high-value sprint will serve as a dramatic prelude, often setting the emotional tone for the night’s climax.
All roads will ultimately lead to 22:50, when Race 9, the DES VOEUX HANDICAP, commands full focus. Run over 1650 metres and carrying the evening’s highest prize money of $2,050,000, the feature race will stand as the defining contest of the card. Under pressure, under lights, and under expectation, the best will be required to rise — making it a fitting finale to an unforgettable Happy Valley meeting.
As Hong Kong prepares for another electric Wednesday night, the 7 January 2026 card promises a rich blend of speed, stamina and spectacle. From the opening stride of the Murray Handicap to the final surge in the DES VOEUX HANDICAP, Happy Valley will once again remind the racing world why its night meetings are nothing short of magical.
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