The 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races has attracted a world-class nominations list comprising 189 elite horses, including 55 individual Group 1 winners, all chasing a berth at horse racing’s year-end showcase at Sha Tin on 10 December.

Offering record prize money of HK$118 million, entries for the four Group 1 races – the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$32 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) – hail from four continents.

Superstars Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Liberty Island, Paddington, Mr Brightside and Highfield Princess are just several big names. Japan leads the way with 68 entries, while horses from Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Macau and Singapore feature.  

Hong Kong’s charge is led by local champion Golden Sixty, who chases a record-equalling third LONGINES Hong Kong Mile for trainer Francis Lui, while also holding an option for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. Romantic Warrior returns for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup after his devastating win in last year’s renewal. California Spangle, who earned a first Group 1 win in the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, is back to defend his crown.

Lucky Sweynesse, Sight Success and last year’s winner Wellington are set to tackle the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint; Hong Kong Champion Stayer Russian Emperor has his sights on the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, while Money Catcher, Super Wealthy, Beauty Eternal, Voyage Bubble, Courier Wonder, Healthy Happy, Encountered, Tuchel, Super Sunny Sing, Straight Arron, Duke Wai and more are also nominated.

Mr Andrew Harding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, said: “We are extremely pleased with the entries for the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. Hong Kong’s very best horses – Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, California Spangle and many more are nominated to take on some of world racing’s elite, setting the scene for superb sporting action on 10 December at Sha Tin.

“We are heartened by the positive support we have received from our international friends from around the world, and it is clear that this year’s list of nominations has all of the ingredients to produce a truly unforgettable LONGINES Hong Kong International Race Day.”

A stunning four-time Group 1 winner, Liberty Island became Japan’s seventh Triple Tiara recipient following her victories this year in the G1 Oka Sho (1600m), G1 Yushun Himba (2400m) and G1 Shuka Sho (2000m). Underlining her quality is that among recent Triple Tiara winners are the exceptional Almond Eye (2018) and Daring Tact (2020). Trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida has entered her for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, while the handler could also ship Serifos, Prognosis and Big Ribbon to Hong Kong.

Japan’s intimidating entry is strengthened by nominations for G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) winners Shahryar (2021), Do Deuce (2022) and Tastiera (2023). Last year’s G1 Japan Cup (2400m) triumphant Vela Azul features, while Danon The Kid, Prognosis, Durezza, Mama Cocha, Geraldina, Killer Ability, Jack d’Or and Justin Palace are included.

Aidan O’Brien has enjoyed success in Hong Kong and the Irish mastermind has 13 horses nominated, led by the four-time Group 1-winning Paddington, who could square off with Golden Sixty, California Spangle and several others in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

O’Brien’s triple Group 1 winner Luxembourg is entered for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, while Kyprios – a Group 1 winner in Great Britain, Ireland and France – spearheads O’Brien’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase possibilities, as well as 2023 G1 St Leger Stakes (2921m) winner Continuous.

Breeders’ Cup winner Victoria Road has options for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, while Absurde, Above The Curve, Bolshoi Ballet, Broome, Warm Heart, Moss Tucker, Piz Badile and Vauban are also chances to represent Ireland in Hong Kong.

Australia’s contingent is 23 horses strong, led by multiple Group 1 winners Mr Brightside, Gold Trip, In Secret, Zaaki and Cascadian. Trainers Ben, Will & JD Hayes have preferences for the four-time Group 1-winning Mr Brightside to feature in what is shaping as a sparkling LONGINES Hong Kong Mile line-up.

Racing in the same colours as Stoltz and for part-owner Josiah Ma, the Group 2-winning Star Patrol holds an entry for the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. Group 1 winners Duais, Arapaho, Atishu, Kovalica, Magical Lagoon and Montefilia are also nominated from Australia.

Four-time Group 1-winning sprinter Highfield Princess could face Hong Kong’s fastest in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint; she heads Great Britain’s entry of 13, which also sees one-two, Art Power and Kinross, out of the recent G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes (1207m) at Ascot last Saturday (21 October), hold nominations to race in the Far East.

The Ralph Beckett-trained Kinross, who is raced by Hong Kong owner Marc Chan, has opted for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, while Art Power, who netted his first top-level win on Saturday, may chase another title in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. West Wind Blows has recently notched a pair of Group 1 placings in Australia. He holds options for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase and LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

France has a rich history in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase and their chances could be led by the Group 1-winning Simca Mille for trainer Stephane Wattel, a winner at the top-level in Germany’s 2023 G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin (2400m) over Sisfahan, who has been nominated to represent Germany in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase.

Exciting three-year-old talent and recent G1 Champion Stakes (2004m) third Horizon Dore could be tested again in Group 1 grade in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup or LONGINES Hong Kong Vase. Junko and Tribalist feature for legendary handler Andre Fabre, with Whispering Dream and Dancing Goddess rounding out nominations from France.

North America sees 10 entries, led by eight from the United States of America, including stablemates War Like Goddess and Casa Creed. The pair have won seven Group 1 races combined. Anisette – winner of the 2023 G1 Del Mar Oaks (1800m) – holds options for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, while Big Invasion, Bran, Gear Jockey, Soldier Rising and Twist are also included.

Dual Group 1-winning mare Fev Rover is one of two horses nominated from Canada, along with Get Smokin – both horses are trained by Mark Casse.

Triple Group-1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart is the sole entry from New Zealand, while Singapore’s Lim’s Kosciuszko and Macau’s Famous Jonathn have also been entered.