Hong Kong-trained horses dominate the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, which were released on Thursday, 12 March, occupying the top two spots.
Ka Ying Rising remains the world’s highest-rated horse in training with a rating of 128 in the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Photo source: HKJC
David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising maintained his position as the top-rated horse in training with an international rating of 128, while Danny Shum’s Romantic Warrior was ranked second with a rating of 124.
Both horses are focused on domestic glory for the remainder of this season: Ka Ying Rising is aiming to retain his Hong Kong Speed Series honours with victory in April’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while the world’s highest-earning horse Romantic Warrior is looking to complete the Triple Crown with a win in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May.
Romantic Warrior strengthened his global standing after claiming a record-extending 13th Group 1 success in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) on 1 March. Photo source: HKJC
Ka Ying Rising next races in Easter Monday’s (6 April) G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin when he goes for a 19th win in succession.
Hong Kong boasts four entries in the top 20 of the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Manfred Man’s Lucky Sweynesse is ranked joint-11th with an international rating of 118, while John Size-trained Helios Express is joint-15th with a rating of 117.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) yesterday evening (17 April) hosted the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power, a groundbreaking giant-screen documentary film and powerful cinematic tribute to the symbolic traits of the horse in the Chinese zodiac. The film was one of a series of activities included in the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign. Alumni, mentors and mentees of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Government of the HKSAR)’s Strive and Rise Programme, together with strategic partners from the Partners’ Board of the programme, were invited to join the screening of the film in 3D.
Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR (4th right, first row); Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR (2nd right, first row); Edward To , Director of Social Welfare (5th right, first row); Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd right, first row); and Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right, first row), pose a photo with attendees of the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power, including alumni, mentors and mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme, as well as strategic partners from the Partners’ Board of the programme. Photo source: HKJC
Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR (2nd right); Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR (1st right); Edward To , Director of Social Welfare (1st left); and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd left) pose a photo at the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power. Photo source: HKJC
Guests attending the premiere included Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR; Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR (OCMFA); Huang Jingrui, Spokesperson and Director-General, Department of Media and Public Relations of the OCMFA; Edward To, Director of Social Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Club Chief Executive Officer; and Raymond Tam, Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs.
Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR, said the Club’s support for Horse Power film has not only built an artistic bridge connecting Chinese and foreign cultures to tell China’s stories well, but also highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Photo source: HKJC
Speaking at the ceremony ahead of the premiere, Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR, said the film is of profound significance, representing a meticulously crafted collaboration between Chinese and international production teams. He expressed his gratitude to the Club for providing alumni, mentors and mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme with the opportunity to attend an exclusive preview. He noted that the Club’s commitment and support have not only built an artistic bridge connecting Chinese and foreign cultures to tell China’s stories well, but also highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Promoting cultural heritage and science education requires the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, and the Club has provided an exemplary demonstration of such collaboration.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the Club is celebrating Hong Kong’s enduring love of the horse by solely sponsoring the Horse Power film. Photo source: HKJC
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Club Chief Executive Officer, stated that the horse symbolises passion, dynamism and rapid progress - qualities embodied by the young alumni of the Strive and Rise Programme, who have worked diligently to build a brighter future. As a world-class equine sports and charitable organisation, the Club celebrates Hong Kong’s love of the horse through its sole sponsorship of Horse Power. With the Club serving as its Exclusive Philanthropic Supporter in the Chinese Mainland, Horse Power will be screened nationwide over the next three years, offering millions of children the opportunity to discover the beauty and magnificence of the horse.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club joins alumni, mentors and mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme, as well as strategic partners from the Partners’ Board of the programme, to watch the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power in 3D alongside other guests. Photo source: HKJC
With the Club’s support, Horse Power has already held premieres in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and London. Following today’s Hong Kong premiere, the Club will arrange special screenings for various partners and community groups, reflecting its commitment to youth development and community engagement. Looking ahead, the film is set to be released in over 100 countries and regions globally.
The alumni, mentors and mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme, as well as strategic partners from the Partners’ Board of the programme, watch the Hong Kong premiere of Horse Power in 3D alongside other guests. Photo source: HKJC
The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine sports and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under “One Country, Two Systems”. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.
Introduction to Horse Power
Horse Power is the first Chinese-zodiac themed film commissioned by China Central Television (CCTV) and has been recognised as one of the “2026 Blockbuster Films from CCTV Documentary Series”. Centred on the heartwarming story of Julaa, an eight-year-old Inner Mongolian girl, and her racehorse Tulai as they take on the challenge of a 18km endurance race, the film weaves together the life stories of some of the world’s most iconic horses. It celebrates their unique qualities – speed, endurance, loyalty, bravery, intelligence and free spirit – as well as their enduring relationship with humankind, while conveying the Eastern wisdom embodied by the Chinese zodiac “Horse” to the world.
A masterpiece over three years in the making, Horse Power was filmed on the prairie of Xilin Gol League of Inner Mongolia, as well as across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Employing world-leading giant-screen technology, custom-designed horseback cameras and 8K ultra-high-definition filming equipment, it brings viewers an immersive cinematic experience that captures the powerful vitality of horses.
Created in collaboration with a leading Chinese creative team, the film was directed by Emmy Award-winning natural-history filmmaker Mark Brownlow, the driving force behind Blue Planet II and Frozen Planet II of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). English narration is delivered by Oscar-nominated American actor Josh Brolin, while the Chinese narration is voiced by renowned Chinese Mainland actor and equestrian athlete Yu Shi, with both contributing cultural and emotional depth through their unique perspectives.
