Hong Kong racing reached new heights in 2025 as Ka Ying Rising etched his name in history, being recognised as the world’s best sprinter and the highest-rated Hong Kong horse ever, with a rating of 128. The remarkable campaign also saw Romantic Warrior secure a spot among the world’s top ten horses for a second consecutive year, underscoring Hong Kong’s rising prominence on the international stage.
Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising completed a flawless calendar year, remaining unbeaten in eight starts. His crowning achievements included triumphs in the AU$20 million G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney and the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin. Alongside three other Group 1 victories, these performances lifted him above previous Hong Kong legends, including Able Friend (127), Beauty Generation (127), and Golden Sixty (126). With Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton in the saddle for most of his wins, Ka Ying Rising shared second place in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with an international elite group, trailing only France’s Calandagan (130).
Romantic Warrior, trained by Danny Shum, further highlighted Hong Kong’s global racing stature. Despite an injury-affected year, he secured three wins, including a record fourth victory in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and a G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) success at Meydan. With a career-high rating of 127, Romantic Warrior now stands as the second highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in history, behind only Ka Ying Rising.
The year-end accolades were not limited to individual stars. Hong Kong-trained horses achieved a remarkable depth of talent, with ten horses rated 115 or higher internationally. Voyage Bubble (121), Lucky Sweynesse (117), Beauty Joy (116), Red Lion (116), Helios Express (116), Galaxy Patch (115), Howdeepisyourlove (115), and Straight Arron (115) reinforced the city’s elite racing programme, which thrives despite a comparatively small pool of just 1,350 thoroughbreds.
Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, praised the achievements: “Ka Ying Rising’s historic rating of 128 is a milestone for Hong Kong racing. To have two Hong Kong-trained horses among the world’s top ten demonstrates our strength and consistency on the global stage.”
Hong Kong’s racing prominence was further cemented by the inclusion of eleven local Group 1 races in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races, six of which were ranked among the top ten in their respective distance categories. The LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint was rated the world’s seventh-best turf sprint contest, while the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and Vase ranked 20th and 26th globally, respectively. These accolades showcase the exceptional quality of Hong Kong’s top races and their ability to attract elite international competitors.
Executive Director of Racing at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, added: “Our premier races continue to deliver world-class contests, highlighting both the talent of our horses and the competitiveness of our international programme. Hong Kong racing stands among the very best globally.”
With Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior, and a strong supporting cast leading the charge, Hong Kong has once again confirmed its status as a powerhouse in world horse racing.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.