On the Year of the Horse Raceday, over 98,000 people gathered at Sha Tin Racecourse to Celebrate the New Year

The Year of the Horse Raceday held at Sha Tin Racecourse attracted over 98,000 people to celebrate the Chinese New Year, with Mainland and overseas visitors breaking previous records with over 20,000 attendees.

The Year of the Horse Raceday held at Sha Tin Racecourse attracted over 98,000 people to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club stated that with the record-breaking attendance on the third day of the Chinese New Year, though the 2025/26 racing season was only halfway through, the cumulative attendance has already reached nearly 210,000 people, surpassing the total of 195,000 people for the entire previous season, reflecting the immense appeal of horse racing tourism. In terms of betting amount, the 11 races recorded over HKD $1.84 billion.

Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hon Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (left); The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (right) at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Year of the Horse Raceday. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hon Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (right); and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left), at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Year of the Horse Raceday. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hon Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (6th left, back row); The Hon Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (4th left, back row); The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (5th right, back row); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (5th left, back row); Club Stewards; other officiating guests and Club jockeys at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Year of the Horse Raceday. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, was very satisfied with the successful start to the Year of the Horse Raceday. He said, "It's a perfect start, and we will continue our strong momentum in the new year. You will see more innovations and exciting facilities coming soon."

Though the 2025/26 racing season was only halfway through, the cumulative attendance has already reached nearly 210,000 people, surpassing the total of 195,000 people for the entire previous season, reflecting the immense appeal of horse racing tourism. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

At the beginning of the Year of the Horse, Sha Tin Racecourse was filled with a strong festive atmosphere, featuring special photo spots such as windmills and peach blossom, symbolizing success and prosperity.

Another highlight on the site was the unveiling of "Harmonious Horses" sculptures, each over three meters tall, created by the local renowned artist Mr. Simon Ma. The unveiling ceremony was officiated by Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. Aaron Kwok, the local well-known singer and HKJC's Year of the Horse Ambassador, as well as Mr. Simon Ma.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (right), joins the Club’s Year of the Horse Ambassador Aaron Kwok (middle) and renowned artist Simon Ma (left) to officiate the unveiling ceremony. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Mr. Simon Ma stated that sculptures symbolized the integration of Hong Kong and the Mainland. The two horses appear to be running from afar, with their heads slightly raised, signifying high spirits and inspiring energy to move forward.

Mr. Aaron Kwok wished the residents good health, good fortune, and prosperity in the Year of the Horse. He even hummed a few lines from the HKJC's Year of the Horse theme song, stating that the line "Passionate but not easy, willing to keep going" was very important. Mr. Kwok stated that he hoped residents could participate in the various charity events and community activities organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "We hope the spirit of dedication can be passed on to the next generation so they can continue to carry forward this ideal. I think such an aim can be realized via concerted efforts of both parents and children." Mr. Kwok said.

“Harmonious Horses” sculptures standing over three metres high and created by renowned artist Simon Ma at Sha Tin Racecourse. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

“Harmonious Horses” sculptures standing over three metres high and created by renowned artist Simon Ma at Sha Tin Racecourse. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

In Chinese culture, the horse represents perseverance, speed, and vitality, deeply resonating with Hong Kong's spirit, "I can do it". The Year of the Horse holds special significance for both Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Large numbers of residents and tourists visited the racecourse to experience the exhilarating energy and share in the auspicious New Year spirit.

Tora Northman, Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Tora Northman, a Swedish tourist, is on a month-long Asian tour and has specifically stayed in Hong Kong for two weeks to experience the Chinese New Year atmosphere. After attending the New Year Parade on February 17 and the fireworks display on February 18, she attended the Year of the Horse Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse on February 19. Tora said, "It's a unique and wonderful experience. Sweden doesn't have horse racing, so it's wonderful for me to personally visit the massive Sha Tin Racecourse and experience the passion of both the races and horse racing fans. As a tourist, it's truly unforgettable to celebrate the Chinese New Year together with the people of Hong Kong."

Andreas Brautlacht and Regina Brautlacht, Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

A German couple, Andreas Brautlacht and Regina Brautlacht, a businessman and a university professor respectively, arrived in Hong Kong on February 16 for a six-day trip. Having visited Hong Kong four times before, they first attended the horse racing events this year. They praised Sha Tin Racecourse's scale, saying it far surpasses that of racecourses in Germany. They said, "Sha Tin Racecourse has advanced digital horse racing facilities, such as the virtual riding experience equipment, which is very innovative. Our visit to the Racecourse would definitely be a great start to the Year of the Horse."

Mr. Wu (left), Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Mr. Wu, a tourist from Henan Province, visited Hong Kong for the first time with his family, especially aiming to experience the fireworks display on the second day of the Chinese New Year and the Raceday on the third day. During their four-day trip, besides watching fireworks and horse racing, they also shopped in Mong Kok and took a ride on the Star Ferry, spending over HKD $20,000. Mr. Wu praised the vibrant atmosphere at the Racecourse: "Watching the races live was incredibly exciting; the atmosphere was fantastic. Next time, when I'm in Hong Kong, I'll definitely revisit the Racecourse."

Mr. Chow, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow, a first-time visitor to the Racecourse, said that Sha Tin Racecourse should be a place with good fortune, and he hoped to change his luck for the Year of the Horse in this wonderful place.

Mr. Tse, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Tse, whose father was a former Jockey Club jockey, has had a deep connection with horses since childhood. He specifically visited the Racecourse on the third day of the Chinese New Year to achieve good luck. He also mentioned that he had watched the fireworks display sponsored by the Jockey Club on the night of the second day of the Chinese New Year, saying, "The Jockey Club spent over HKD $19 million to achieve a successful result! The fireworks were very beautiful."

The exciting horse racing on the third day of the Chinese New Year, Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Crowning a phenomenal week for trainer Mark Newnham, Invincible Ibis (126lb) vindicated Hugh Bowman’s faith with a record-breaking triumph in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March).

Invincible Ibis sets a new BMW Hong Kong Derby record with victory under Hugh Bowman. Photo source: HKJC

Clocking 1m 59.43s, the Hellbent gelding eclipsed Massive Sovereign’s mark of 1m 59.85s, set in 2024, in defeating Numbers – who tried to lead all the way – by one-and-a-quarter lengths with Stormy Grove a luckless third, a further short head away.

Owned by the Ibis Syndicate, Invincible Ibis was given a perfect, ground-saving ride by Bowman to justify the Australian’s confidence in the bay, who had finished sixth to Little Paradise in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and second to Stormy Grove in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

Celebrating his third BMW Hong Kong Derby victory after triumphs with Werther in 2016 and Furore in 2019, Bowman was elated to have teamed with Newnham, who saddled five winners at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (18 March).

“The dream was always there but you have to stick with the process and after the Mile, I was very doubtful whether he (Invincible Ibis) was going to be able to bring it together, but I took a lot of confidence out of the 1800m. I thought he was one of five realistic winning chances,” Bowman said.

Hugh Bowman celebrates a third BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph. Photo source: HKJC

Settling midfield behind Numbers and Seraph Gabriel after jumping smoothly from barrier three, Invincible Ibis was given the run of the race by a patient Bowman, who bided his time until the field straightened before emerging to challenge Numbers.

“As we started to come round the home turn, I thought ‘I’m in business here, I really am’,” Bowman said. “The run was economical, so when I brought him to the outside and let him down, it was no surprise that he went the way that he did and I’m very proud of him. It means a lot to win the race for a third time and being based here now, and it makes it a bit more special for some reason or other.

“Thank you to Mark and the team for preparing this horse in such magnificent order. He really did peak this afternoon, and the distance was a query, no doubt about it, but he came through with flying colours.

“He just gave me the sweetest ride throughout the entire trip. We were aided by a good draw, of course, but the horse won with authority and I’m so proud to have won my third BMW Hong Kong Derby.”

Mark Newnham jubilates in his most important training success. Photo source: HKJC

Denied a short head by Cap Ferrat with My Wish in last season’s BMW Hong Kong Derby, Newnham was ecstatic after experiencing a wildly contrasting experience to 2025.

“The complete opposite to last year, that’s for sure. It was just a really smooth race to watch. If I could have picked a position prior to the race, it would have been midfield one off in a consistent speed and Hugh got into that position early,” Newnham said.

“At the corner it was just going to be ‘Is he good enough?’ And probably a furlong (200m) into the straight, I was pretty confident he was going to be strong late.”

Newnham will now consider a FWD Champions Day start for Invincible Ibis in either the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) or the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on 26 April.

“We’ll be looking at that (FWD Champions Day) as long as his recovery’s good from today,” Newnham said. “But I’m probably more inclined to run him in the Mile. I just don’t think taking on Romantic Warrior and a few of the internationals at 2000m, I don’t think he’s seasoned enough for that yet, despite his win today and the time he’s run.

“He’s beating horses of his own age group, so I don’t think we need to throw him to the wolves just yet – horses can have a long career here, so there’s no need to be testing him too much beyond his limits.”

Frankie Lor, trainer of minor place-getters Numbers and Stormy Grove, said: “You can see the time was quick, so maybe if he (Numbers) had a better draw (than 13) he could have had an easier time earlier on and set his own pace.

“He’s still run a very good race, and he kept rolling the whole way. (Stormy Grove) did a very quick time to finish the race, 22.71s, so he was only a little bit too far back. On another day, it could have been different.”

Little Paradise, who started 3.8 favourite, over-raced and finished ninth.

The undercard was dominated by exciting rising talent with four three-year-old geldings winning four of the first six races, with Too Darn Hot’s Hot Delight, Deep Field’s Mega Mastermind, Biouvac’s Absolute Heart and Ardrossan gelding Gold Patch prevailing.

Hot Delight (128lb) maintained a perfect record with a third successive win to give Francis Lui his 500th victory on Sha Tin turf with success in the Class 3 Werther Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho in 1m 08.19s – only marginally outside of Victor The Winner’s Class record mark of 1m 08.11s.

“He’s (Hot Delight) a nice horse, we know that. But he’s only three, so we want to excel as much as possible, but we also want to keep him for his four-year-old season, so it was a nice run,” Ho said.

Lui said: “Good horse, he’s a very good horse and honest. Even in trackwork he’s showed he’s improved.”

Hot Delight remains undefeated after three starts. Photo source: HKJC

Lui also struck with Gold Patch (133lb) under Zac Purton in the Class 4 Sky Darci Handicap (1200m).

Jamie Richards and Brenton Avdulla combined with Mega Mastermind (125lb) to win the Class 4 Luger Handicap (1600m) before Absolute Heart (127lb) landed the Class 4 Ping Hai Star Handicap (1200m) for Cody Mo and Derek Leung.

Circuit Champion (120lb), purchased at the 2024 Hong Kong International Sale for HK$5.4 million, showcased his talent with a last-to-first success in the Class 3 Furore Handicap (1200m) for Danny Shum to improve his record to two wins and a second from three starts.

Slowly away, the Starspangledbanner gelding finished powerfully under Keith Yeung, clocking 21.81s for the final 400m to justify the patience of his connections with the five-year-old, who has overcome cannon bone, humeral bone and pelvis issues as well as a fever before making a belated debut.

Pierre Ng’s Aeroinvincible (135lb) continued Andrea Atzeni’s stunning March surge with victory in the Class 4 Fay Fay Handicap (1400m). Atzeni took his tally for the month to 12, a haul which includes two quartets.

Ng and Purton teamed with Aerovolanic (122lb) in the Class 3 Rapper Dragon Handicap (1400m) after David Hayes-trained Shamus Storm (116lb) clinched the Class 3 Designs On Rome Handicap (1800m) for Harry Bentley.

Tony Cruz’s Winning Ovation (113lb) clinched a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million by winning the Class 2 Golden Sixty Handicap (1400m) for Angus Chung.