An esteemed collection of world-class horses led by Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble, Calandagan, Soul Rush, Satono Reve, Los Angeles, Al Riffa, Sosie and Docklands has been selected to contest the HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 December.

A total of 22 individual Group 1 winners will vie for a share of the record HK$130 million purse split across the four Group 1 races at the year-end ‘Turf World Championships’ – the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

The showpiece fixture will welcome 22 visiting competitors as global champion Romantic Warrior looks to become the first four-time winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup after victories in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while Ka Ying Rising aims to extend his unbeaten streak to 16 consecutive races – equal to retired champion Golden Sixty and one shy of Silent Witness’ long-standing Hong Kong record.

Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are one of the most important events on racing’s global calendar, and this year we look forward to witnessing the feats of Romantic Warrior, Ka Ying Rising, Calandagan, Soul Rush and Voyage Bubble, among many others.

“We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many of the stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence. The stage is now set for Sunday, 14 December at Sha Tin.”

The 10-time Group 1-winning Romantic Warrior, who resumed successfully last weekend after 232 days between races, will chase the HK$22.4 million first-prize cheque, seeking to enhance his world record earnings (HK$217.7 million).

The remarkable Hong Kong International Sale graduate will be challenged by three-time Group 1 winner and currently highest rated horse in the world Calandagan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, and also his stablemate Quisisana. Graffard’s pair will be tested by dual Group 1 winner Bellagio Opera as well as Rousham Park, Lord Del Rey and Galen, who is trained by Joseph O’Brien.

Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble has been directed to defend his crown in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile instead, while the local side’s LONGINES Hong Kong Cup team also features 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Massive Sovereign.

The world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, will aim to extend his winning sequence with a second consecutive LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint victory. Ka Ying Rising holds Sha Tin’s 1200m track record (1m 07.20s), and after winning the G1 The Everest (1200m), he returned home for an emphatic success in the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

Third to Ka Ying Rising in the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, Group 1 winner Satono Reve will take another shot at the sprint king alongside fellow Group 1 winner, Win Carnelian, who prevailed in September’s G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m). Two-time Royal Ascot Group 1 victor Khaadem also contests the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.

Having placed in four Group 1 races behind Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express makes another attempt at the champion along with Tomodachi Kokoroe, Lucky Sweynesse, Raging Blizzard, Fast Network, Lucky With You, Wunderbar, Beauty Waves and Divano.

Galaxy Patch captured the HK$5.35 million G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) after surging along the rail under a brilliant James McDonald ride, and he will bid for LONGINES Hong Kong Mile glory alongside rising star My Wish.

Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Docklands returns for another run at December glory, while Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter tests quality international form in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile against Voyage Bubble, Happy Together, Red Lion, Sunlight Power, Copartner Prance and Patch Of Theta. Pray For Mir and Massive Sovereign are reserves.

Having defeated Romantic Warrior in the 2025 G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), Soul Rush is looking to go one better after finishing second in the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Star filly Embroidery goes for a third Group 1 in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, while trainer Yann Barberot saddles four-time Group 1-placed Beauvatier, who makes his final start before stud duties.

The LONGINES Hong Kong Vase sees the reappearance of last year’s winner Giavellotto, who returns along with Eydon and Dubai Honour; the latter has placed in two Group 1 races at Sha Tin. Top-level winners Sosie and Goliath, two of world racing’s best staying horses, will feature.

Aidan O’Brien seeks a fourth LONGINES Hong Kong Vase after triumphs with Highland Reel (2015 & 2017) and Mogul (2020). O’Brien saddles Group 1 winner Los Angeles, while O’Brien’s eldest son, Joseph, prepares triple Group 1 winner Al Riffa.

Andre Fabre chases a fourth LONGINES Hong Kong Vase success with Sosie, who was third behind Daryz in October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) and will face 2024 G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m) hero Urban Chic, Ensued, Moments In Time, Bundle Award and Ka Ying Generation.

2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races – Selected Runners

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase