The Hong Kong racing calendar is heating up as Sunday week’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) promises a spectacular showdown between 11-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior and last season’s Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble at Sha Tin. On the same day, sprinting star Ka Ying Rising is set to contest the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), ensuring a weekend packed with elite racing drama.
Romantic Warrior, unbeaten by Voyage Bubble to date, faces a fresh test over the latter’s preferred distance in the Stewards’ Cup. The 1600m contest, part of Hong Kong’s prestigious Triple Crown series, has historically seen some of the territory’s finest milers shine, with Voyage Bubble claiming the race in both 2024 and 2025. Romantic Warrior, meanwhile, comes off consecutive HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile victories across the same years, cementing his reputation as a world-class performer.
In preparation for the showdown, Romantic Warrior completed a flawless barrier trial over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt track this Tuesday morning, clocking an impressive 1m 10.12s under jockey Hugh Bowman for trainer Danny Shum. Bowman was full of praise: “He feels great. He’s in really good order. He trialled superbly this morning, and I’m sure he’ll go to the mile race at the end of the month in top order.”
A global star of racing, Romantic Warrior has claimed Group 1 victories across four different jurisdictions and is now the highest-earning racehorse in the world, with career earnings of HK$240.10 million. His recent triumph in a fourth consecutive HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) under James McDonald further added to his extraordinary record. The Triple Crown itself carries a HK$10 million bonus for any horse winning all three legs—a feat only achieved by River Verdon (1993/94) and Voyage Bubble (2024/25).
Meanwhile, Bowman is scheduled to ride Group 1 winner Red Lion in the Stewards’ Cup, highlighting the depth of talent in this year’s field. “He’s a very reliable horse, and he does get better with racing. His trial was fantastic and he’ll trial again later this week, but I think he’s in his best form of the season so far. It’s exciting,” Bowman said.
Jockey Zac Purton has chosen to partner 97-rated Sagacious Life in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), leaving Vincent Ho to ride Little Paradise, while Bowman continues his association with Invincible Ibis. Purton noted: “It’s shaping as one of the most competitive Classic Miles I’ve ever seen. All of the horses have continued to progress. They’ve done nothing wrong – you could make a claim for all of them.”
Trained by Pierre Ng, Sagacious Life has twice won over a mile in Class 2 contests, including a notable victory on 4 January under Purton. The Classic Mile opens the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March and concludes with the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday (14 January), trainer Caspar Fownes saddles Kaholo Angel in the HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m). Fownes said: “He’s done really well, this horse. We’ll see how he jumps from barrier 10, but ideally, I’d like to ride him quiet with a view to seeing him finish off strongly.”
Meanwhile, Bowman links with last-start winner Silvery Breeze (132lb) in the Class 3 APM Monaco Cup Handicap (1650m) for trainer David Eustace. “His form this season has been very strong. He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in barrier 12, but he’s a reliable horse, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring this time,” Bowman added.
Happy Valley’s nine-race fixture begins at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Meteorites Handicap (1200m), promising a thrilling evening of competitive racing across the track.
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