Lucky Sweynesse will make his owners’ dreams come true this Sunday (28 September) when he heads to the starting gates for the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama in Tokyo, Japan.

The former Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) is owned by the Cheng family – Cheng Ming Leung, Cheng Yu Tung, Cheng Mei Mei and Cheng Yu Wai – passionate racing enthusiasts who are on the cusp of realising a long-held ambition when Lucky Sweynesse boldly flies the Bauhinia flag for Hong Kong, China against the best of Japan.

Cheng Ming Leung, father of Cheng Yu Tung, Cheng Mei Mei and Cheng Yu Wai, said: “Coming to race in Japan is fulfilling a dream. I came here with my friend Mr Wong in 2008, and he owned Armada, who was second in the Yasuda Kinen (G1, 1600m) that year.

“It was an amazing experience for me and my family, so one day I always wanted to come here. Mr Wong will be coming to Japan this time to support us on Sunday here.”

Armada was a valiant second behind dual Japanese Horse of the Year (2008 & 2009) Vodka at Tokyo 17 years ago and it was that very defeat and experience which sparked a fire of ambition for the family, who have successfully owned a string of racehorses in Macau as well, to embark on their own journey some 2,800km from Hong Kong to Japan with their pride and joy – Lucky Sweynesse. 

Eldest son Cheng Yu Tung, whose English name is Michael, embraces the vision: “We are very happy to be here. The JRA (Japan Racing Association) has been so welcoming to us. This is our dream to race him in Japan. This is our family dream to come here. We are here right now – it’s very exciting.

“Even just racing here is very exciting. We hope he will perform well, but we are very calm about it and just enjoying the moment.”

The proud family – sporting Lucky Sweynesse T-shirts – watched their champion horse’s every move at trackwork this week, eagle-eyed and smiling from ear to ear, sharing conversations and taking photos with media ahead of their campaign’s climax this weekend. 

Horse ownership is built on the hope of scaling the highest of highs – Group 1 glory, a summit Lucky Sweynesse has reached four times. His earnings for the family – who operate a trading business between Hong Kong and the Mainland – are HK$75.75 million.

Cheng Ming Leung said: “Racing is a family day for us. We always meet on race days and have fun together – family day and watching horses. We built up our interest and began owning more horses.”

Michael said: “I’ve liked horse racing since I was young. I went to the racecourse with my father – he raced many horses in Macau and Hong Kong. When I was 18, I started to go racing. The whole family – horse racing is our family gathering day.

“Every Wednesday and Sunday we meet at the racecourse in Hong Kong. It’s our common interest and hobby – we like horse racing very much.”

The family has three horses racing in Hong Kong: Lucky Sweynesse, Lucky Statement and Lucky Field. The brilliant Lucky Sweynesse is the banner horse of the trio, a courageous gelding who lifted their yellow and turquoise silks to international prominence and who also boasts his own plush toy collection at The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s ‘Gift at Races’.

Cheng Yu Wai, whose English name is Leo, said: “It’s our honour to be here representing Hong Kong. It is our dream and it’s great to be here. I think he will run pretty well. He looks better and better after his injury. Me and my brother Michael do the purchasing – we love it.”

Lucky Sweynesse is aiming to add to his elite-level victories in the 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), 2023 G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), 2023 G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2023 G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).

Trained by Manfred Man and to be ridden by Derek Leung, Lucky Sweynesse is one of four Group 1 winners in Sunday’s race. Satono Reve – who has placed behind Ka Ying Rising – is the likely favourite in Japan after his G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) score at Chukyo in March.

Lucky Sweynesse has raced three times since a Group 2 victory in April, 2024. The seven-year-old underwent surgery on his left fore fetlock, causing him to miss over 12 months of competition before returning for a sixth-placing, a fourth and a last-start second to Ka Ying Rising in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on 7 September.

The mighty Silent Witness (2005) and the unheralded Ultra Fantasy (2010) are Hong Kong, China’s previous two winners of the Sprinters Stakes. At odds of 31/1, Ultra Fantasy surprised as an eight-year-old with an all-the-way victory under Alex Lai for trainer Ricky Yiu.

First run in 1967, Sunday’s edition of the Sprinters Stakes is the 59th running. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast the race, scheduled to jump at 2.40pm (HKT).

Barriers for the Sprinters Stakes are drawn tomorrow (Friday, 26 September) at 9am (JST).