With just weeks to go before the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), Sunday’s pivotal lead-up meeting has sharpened the likelihood of a rare sweep by defending champions across all four Group 1 features on December 14. That prospect, once considered improbable, now feels entirely plausible after two local stars returned with authority. Ka Ying Rising picked up where he left off, making a statement (see below) in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m), while Romantic Warrior defied a lengthy layoff to impose himself in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Both wins were emphatic enough to suggest they’re well placed to defend their titles – Ka Ying Rising in the Sprint and Romantic Warrior in what would be an extraordinary fourth Hong Kong Cup. Confirmation of the final HKIR fields on Wednesday will shed more light, but even without knowing which international raiders are inbound, the locals’ standing remains robust. Ka Ying Rising is long odds-on to repeat in the Sprint, while Romantic Warrior, already a three-time Cup winner, appears to be peaking again at precisely the right time. The Mile, by contrast, has lost a layer of intrigue. Japanese quinella Jantar Mantar and Gaia Force from the Group 1 Mile Championship have declined invitations, and local favourite My Wish produced an underwhelming run in finishing fourth in the Jockey Club Mile. One horse who did improve was Voyage Bubble, finishing second behind Romantic Warrior in the Cup and now giving trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai a tactical headache: step back in trip to defend last year’s Mile crown, or test the waters again at 2000m against a rival he’s yet to conquer. “He did his best and he was beaten by a world-class horse. We have options,” said Yiu. “That’s why I entered two races – the Mile and the Cup at 2,000m.” Meanwhile, Mark Newnham remains bullish about My Wish’s chances, noting the gelding would strip fitter after a five-week gap. “I think he’ll be better in December with the three-week gap,” he said. Raider presence will be felt most in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m), where defending champion Giavellotto could be joined by a strong international field. But the loudest applause may yet be reserved for the duo now ranked equal seventh in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. “Ka Ying Rising is better even than he was before,” said Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “I have never seen a more impressive sprinter in the world.” Romantic Warrior, too, continues to defy the margins of greatness.
NEWKa Ying Rising Stalks HK Picket Fence Record
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Meanwhile, a relentless streak that now stands at 15 straight wins has placed Hong Kong’s reigning sprint king on the cusp of equalling the most famous winning run in the city’s racing history. With only two more victories required to match Silent Witness’s iconic 17-race unbeaten streak, racingnews.hkjc.com reports Ka Ying Rising has well and truly stepped into legendary territory. Returning to Sha Tin on Sunday after his Everest heroics, the Shamexpress gelding showed no signs of fatigue, dishing out a ruthless performance in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m). Sent out under 128lb, he dominated from start to finish, stopping the clock at 1m 07.33s – just 0.13s outside his own course record – despite being throttled down by Zac Purton over the final strides. The final margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths over Fast Network was flattering to the runner-up, while Helios Express was a further length-and-three-quarters adrift in third. The win elevated Ka Ying Rising into third on the list of consecutive victories by a Hong Kong-trained galloper, behind only Golden Sixty (16) and the legendary Silent Witness (17). With the HK$28 million Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint looming on 14 December, a shot at immortality is now within touching distance. “He just looks better all the time. He’s mentally getting better,” Purton said. “It was good to see him win like that today without having to go to the bottom of him. I’ve never seen him look so good.” He also noted that Beauty Waves, who led mid-race, wasn’t going fast enough to suit his mount’s rhythm: “That’s the beauty with this horse – the faster they go, the better he is.” Trainer David Hayes agreed the display was exceptional. “To the eye, I thought it was probably one of his best wins. That was as easy as I’ve seen him do it,” he said, adding that the gelding carried a career-high 1,158lb – he’s muscled up even more – and returned looking stronger than ever. “He’ll be set for The Everest next year again, but the big focus now is the international race in three weeks. That’s his short-term grand final.” Ka Ying Rising has already claimed Everest glory, is the world’s leading sprinter, and now stalks a place in Hong Kong’s pantheon of greats. The chase is on.
NEWPike and Rey Can Upstage Winterbottom Favs
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
The build-up to Saturday’s $1.5 million Winterbottom Stakes has crystallised into a two-way showdown, with just 11 runners declared and two names dominating both form and market sentiment, reports thewest.com.au. That narrow focus hasn’t dulled anticipation – if anything, the fierce rivalry between Overpass and Jokers Grin has taken centre stage, with punters now leaning heavily toward the local favourite. Jokers Grin has firmed into $2.60, displacing dual titleholder Overpass ($2.90) at the head of betting, while Luana Miss and Rey Magnerio ($9 each) sit next in line. The latter will be ridden by William Pike, who recently steered home the Railway Stakes winner and has opted for a new partner this weekend after abandoning Oscar’s Fortune ($21). “Poor Oscar’s, he’s done nothing wrong; he’s been very good,” Pike conceded to SEN. “But I wasn’t sure we’d be able to beat Jokers Grin, so I was looking for another option to see if I could have another blow.” Pike’s faith in the Robbie Griffiths-trained Rey Magnerio (see below) stems from the gelding’s proven consistency across different states. “Rey Magnerio has been well travelled. He’s run good races in just about every race he’s been in,” Pike said. “I think he’s the next best horse I could get on that can beat Jokers Grin.” The move comes after Rey Magnerio’s eye-catching third on Oaks Day, where Jye McNeil was hampered by traffic in the home straight. With another Group 1 tilt in view, Pike’s preparation is already underway. “I’ve already watched Rey Magnerio’s replays and it’ll start from this afternoon (Monday) onwards,” he said. “I’ll get a bit more serious and have a look at a few of my opponents and see what I think they might do.” He added that final tactics would depend on the barrier draw and race-day variables. “Maybe the track isn’t playing the way you thought it would, or the easterly breeze is up – you might need to adjust.” Outside the big two, several contenders could cause an upset. Benedetta, priced at $15, already owns a Group 1 title and brings proven class to the line-up. Libertad, meanwhile, is a longer shot at $34 but not without credentials. Albany galloper Rope Them In ($11) adds intrigue after splitting subsequent Railway and Carbine Club winners Watch Me Rock and Cosmic Crusader in the Asian Beau last start. While Overpass aims to make history with a third Winterbottom crown, the focus has undeniably shifted to Jokers Grin, whose rise through the ranks and home-track advantage give him the aura of a genuine threat. With just a compact field to navigate and several form lines converging, the stage is set for a contest that may hinge as much on tactics and timing as it does on raw ability.
NEWSnowden Zealously Watching Sydney Weather
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Hopes are high that this weekend's forecast holds steady, with Peter Snowden eyeing much-improved track conditions for his in-form sprinter Zealously in Saturday’s Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. According to racenet.com.au, the promising son of Harry Angel had been set to run in last weekend’s The Warra (1200m) at Kembla Grange before persistent rain pushed the surface into the heavy range, forcing a late withdrawal. While disappointed to miss the opportunity to stretch out to 1200m for the first time, Snowden said Rosehill was always Plan B, and the Starlight offered a more suitable scenario. “I was disappointed to miss last week but he just doesn’t want anything worse than a soft five,” he said. “When the track was downgraded (to a heavy 8) it really forced our hand because he’s just not the same horse on that ground. I chose to save him for Rosehill this week and at the 1100m and with a better weather forecast it looks like a nice race for him.” Zealously, a winner of five from 13, appears to have returned this prep with added strength and maturity, a shift Snowden has seen translate directly to raceday results. “The horse is going better than he ever has, he’s a pretty handy horse,” he said. “His form has been solid right through his career, but I feel he’s matured, and the results are showing that.” Snowden pointed to the Warwick Farm win in track-record time and the Caulfield run – where the gelding was awkward around the bend yet still finished strongly – as markers of his upward curve. “He’s going great and it’s unfortunate we copped that rain as I thought the race last Saturday was another suitable target for him.” Despite not testing 1200m just yet, Snowden is confident Saturday’s trip is right in the gelding’s wheelhouse. “In saying that I’m not worried about him stepping out at 1100m at Rosehill,” he said. “He’s a quick horse that needs good ground. There’s a few races kicking around for him.” Although Zealously is eligible for the Magic Millions in January, a Gold Coast appearance appears unlikely. “He’s a Magic Millions horse, there’s a race on the Gold Coast a week out from the big day for horses that are owned in syndicates of 20 or more worth $1 million over 1100m,” Snowden explained. “But he’s got 18 owners; can you believe it? I think the Magic Millions is off the table now.”
NEWTattersalls December Yearlings Eclipse KPIs
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
New benchmarks were set at the 2025 Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, with turnover, average, and median figures all reaching record levels. The auction also produced the highest-priced colt in the sale’s history, contributing to a clearance rate of 85% and an impressive haul of 17 six-figure lots. Topping the results was a Frankel half-brother to Group-winning sprinter Dramatised, sold for 425,000 guineas to agent Alex Elliott. The April-foaled colt was consigned by Hazelwood Bloodstock and is out of Katie’s Diamond, herself a Listed winner and now proven as a broodmare through the exploits of Dramatised – winner of the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot at two, and the Group 2 Temple Stakes at three. “He is for a partnership,” Elliott confirmed. “He looks a fast Frankel and I am pleased to get him. He obviously should have been in Book 1, but he got a foot abscess and that needed time to grow out.” Elliott said the family had long appealed. “It is a fast family and I remember the mare racing for Karl Burke, she has produced a good one in Dramatised. I didn’t think that I would get him, the December Sale has produced good horses and hopefully he will be one who can add his name to the roll of honour.” Katie’s Diamond will return to the ring next week, catalogued as Lot 1742 in the Sceptre Sessions, carrying a Frankel full sibling to the colt sold on Tuesday. Sea The Stars continued his stellar 2025 with strong demand for his progeny at the December Sale. The Castlebridge Consignment’s filly out of My Timing fetched 260,000 guineas, with Anthony Stroud of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock signing the ticket. “Sea The Stars speaks for himself, and this is a very nice filly,” Stroud said. “The mare has been bred to Sea The Stars a number of times and all the runners she’s produced have been highly rated. The stallion’s fee has gone up to €300,000 next year, so this represents reasonable value. He’s undoubtedly a very good stallion.” Bred by Sunderland Holding, the May-born filly is out of Street Cry mare My Timing, herself out of Winter Hill Stakes winner Lay Time, and a granddaughter of Oaks heroine and Champion Older Mare Time Charter. Fillies featured prominently on the leaderboard, claiming four of the top five prices. Among them was a Lope de Vega daughter secured for 235,000 guineas by agent Tina Rau, who outlasted both Anthony Stroud and Mags O’Toole. Bred by Gestüt Etzean, the filly is a half-sister to Group 3-winning juvenile Sea Bay, Champion 2YO Colt in Germany, Listed winner Samoa, and the three-year-old Starlight Lips, who was beaten just three-quarters of a length in this year’s German Oaks. Their dam Strawberry is also closely related to Group winners Sirius and San Salvador.
The Frankel-Katie's Diamond colt established a new benchmark (pic: tattersalls.com)
NEWCaptivant Puts a Big Smile on Kia Ora’s Face
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Early signs suggest a strong future for Capitalist’s sire-son Captivantat stud, with his juvenile son Vantorix putting in a commanding performance on debut at Taree. The two-year-old gelding proved too sharp and too professional for older rivals in the National Thoroughbred Week Maiden Plate (1005m), scoring by 2.5 lengths in a display that never looked in doubt. Prepared by Jenny Graham, Vantorix had turned heads at the trials and carried that same strut of confidence on race day. His composure and acceleration set him apart, particularly given the age gap to most of the field. “Beating the older horses the way he did as an early two-year-old, and then just easing down to the line, was very impressive,” Graham said. “He’s a very smart horse, and whatever we do next will be about looking after him.” The trainer also credited the emerging influence of Captivant’s progeny, noting that they seem to inherit their sire’s mental edge. “Captivant’s progeny are sharp and switched on and Vantorix has that natural professionalism you love to see in a young horse,” she added. Bred by Dr Richard McClenahan, Vantorix is the fifth foal from Miss Loren, herself a Listed placegetter, and is a half-brother to Gr3 San Domenico Stakes winner Raging Force. Initially sold at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, he was later secured by Graham from the Mullaglass Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. The win moves Captivant into equal-second on the Australian First Season Sires list by winners, a promising start for a stallion who showed elite juvenile form himself. Captivant won the Gr1 Champagne Stakes in near-record time at two, and ran Anamoe to a narrow margin in a record-breaking Gr1 Caulfield Guineas at three. A grandson of growing sire-of-sires influence Written Tycoon, and part of a proven Group 1 family featuring Crown Prosecutor and River Dove, Captivant stands at Kia Ora Stallions for $19,800 (inc GST). He will be represented by yearlings at both Magic Millions Gold Coast and Inglis Classic.
2YO Gr1 winner Captivant has made a promising start at stud (pic: Steve Hart)
Watch Me Rock Wins Gr1 Railway Stakes
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Ascot
Race: Gr1 Railway Stakes (1600m)
Winner: Watch Me Rock (Awesome Rock-What Choux Want, by Jimmy Choux)
Placings: Western Empire and Sentimental Hero
Stallion: Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock-Awesome Planet, by Giants Causeway)
Stud Farm: Gold Front Racing & Breeding
Race Record: 11 Wins and 6 Placings from 19 Starts
Sales Details: Yearling pass-in at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Sale
King Of Light Wins Gr2 WA Guineas
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Ascot
Race: Gr2 WA Guineas (1600m)
Winner: King Of Light (Earthlight-Queen's Parade, by Dalghar)
Placings: Heza Phoenix and Rock Fest
Stallion: Earthlight (Shamardal-Winters Moon, by New Approach)
Stud Farm: Darley
Race Record: 5 Wins and from 5 Starts
Sales Details: $120,000 yearling at the 2024 Magic Millions Perth Sale
Ka Ying Rising Wins Gr2 Jockey Club Sprint
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Sha Tin
Race: Gr2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m)
Winner: Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress-Missy Moo, by Per Incanto)
Placings: Fast Network and Helios Express
Stallion: Shamexpress (O'Reilly-Volkrose, by Volksraad)
Stud Farm: Windsor Park Stud
Race Record: 16 Wins and 2 Placings from 18 Starts
Sales Details: N/A
Galaxy Patch Wins Gr2 Jockey Club Mile
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Sha Tin
Race: Gr2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m)
Winner: Galaxy Patch (Wandjina-Voltara, by More Than Ready)
Placings: Sunlight Power and Happy Together
Stallion: Wandjina (Snitzel-La Bamba, by Last Tycoon)
Stud Farm: Larneuk Stud
Race Record: 9 Wins and 6 Placings from 22 Starts
Sales Details: $50,000 yearling at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale
Romantic Warrior Wins Gr2 Jockey Club Cup
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Sha Tin
Race: Gr2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m)
Winner: Romantic Warrior (Acclamation-Folk Melody, by Street Cry)
Placings: Voyage Bubble and Ka Ying Generation
Stallion: Acclamation (Royal Applause-Princess Athena, by Ahonoora)
Stud Farm: N/A
Race Record: 19 Wins and 5 Placings from 26 Starts
Sales Details: 300,000 gns purchase at the 2019 Tattersall Autumn Horses in Training Sale
Gringotts Wins $1m The Gong Handicap
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Kembla Grange
Race: $1m The Gong Handicap (1600m)
Winner: Gringotts (Per Incanto-Miss Bluebell, by Savabeel)
Placings: Estadio Mestalla and New Endeavour
Stallion: Per Incanto (Street Cry-Pappa Reale, by Indian Ridge)
Stud Farm: Little Avondale Stud
Race Record: 13 Wins and 9 Placings from 26 Starts
Sales Details: $100,000 yearling at the 2021 NZB NYSS and then a $450,000 pass-in at the 2021 NZB Ready to Run sale of 2YOs
Durazzo Wins LR Newmarket Handicap
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Launceston
Race: LR Newmarket Handicap (1200m)
Winner: Durazzo (Needs Further-Arenzano, by Not A Single Doubt)
Placings: Just Cruisin' and Tsunami Sam
Stallion: Needs Further (Encosta de Lago-Crowned Glory, by Danehill)
Stud Farm: Armidale Stud
Race Record: 9 Wins and 2 Placings from 13 Starts
Sales Details: $97,500 yearling at the 2022 Magic Millions Tasmania Sale
Sabaj Wins LR Cranbourne Cup
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Cranbourne
Race: LR Cranbourne Cup (1600m)
Winner: Sabaj (Manhattan Rain-Bouzy, by Uncle Mo)
Placings: Enxuto and Holymanz
Stallion: Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad)
Stud Farm: Geisel Park Stud
Race Record: 5 Wins and 2 Placings from 8 Starts
Sales Details: N/A
Cosmic Crusader Wins LR Carbine Club of WA Stks
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Ascot
Race: LR Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m)
Winner: Cosmic Crusader (Maurice-Cosmic Storm, by Street Sense)
Placings: Aztec Ruler and Asphalt
Stallion: Maurice (Screen Hero-Majiro Frances, by Carnegie)
Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
Race Record: 7 Wins and 3 Placings from 15 Starts
Sales Details: N/A
Simply Wins LR A.J. Scahill Cup
Tuesday, 25th November 2025
Track: Ascot
Race: LR A.J. Scahill Cup (2100m)
Winner: Simply (Domesday-Canny Lassie, by Canny Lad)
Placings: Captain Pluto and Buckets Ridge
Stallion: Domesday (Red Ransom-In The Past, by Zafonic)
