Hong Kong racing created a first when Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior were jointly named Horse of the Year for the 2025/26 season, recognising two exceptional campaigns that each redefined excellence in their respective divisions. The unprecedented decision acknowledged a pair of horses who each captured five Group 1 victories and produced seasons worthy of equal recognition.

Ka Ying Rising, owned by the Ka Ying Syndicate and trained by David Hayes, secured Horse of the Year honours alongside a second consecutive Champion Sprinter title after remaining unbeaten throughout the season. His perfect record of eight wins from eight starts extended an extraordinary winning sequence to 20 races, surpassing Silent Witness's long-standing Hong Kong record of 17 consecutive victories.

The campaign featured three successive track records. Ka Ying Rising stopped the clock in 1:19.36 for the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), followed with 1:07.12 in the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and then lowered that mark again to 1:07.10 when winning the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m). Those performances also secured a second straight Hong Kong Speed Series title.

His season extended beyond Hong Kong when he became the first overseas-trained horse to win the G1 The Everest (1200m) in Sydney, the world's richest turf race. He currently holds an international rating of 131, making him the world's highest-rated sprinter.

Romantic Warrior Completes Historic Triple Crown

Danny Shum's Romantic Warrior added another remarkable chapter to an already distinguished career. Returning from fetlock surgery, the Hong Kong International Sale graduate won the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), claiming both races for a record fourth time.

His season reached another milestone when he became only the third horse in Hong Kong racing history to complete the Triple Crown by winning the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m), G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in the same season. Only River Verdon in 1993/94 and Voyage Bubble in 2024/25 had previously achieved the feat.

Like Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior collected five Group 1 victories during the campaign. His career earnings climbed to a world record HK$288,745,697, while he was recognised as Champion Middle-Distance Horse for a fifth consecutive year. He also claimed Champion Miler and Champion Stayer honours following another dominant season across multiple divisions.

Invincible Ibis And Hot Delight Earn Recognition

Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis was named Champion Four-Year-Old after his convincing victory in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m). He followed that performance with a credible fourth in the G1 Champions Mile (1600m) on his first attempt at the highest level over the distance.

His rapid progression was further recognised with the Most Improved Horse award. The son of Hellbent gained 57 rating points to reach a career-high mark of 112 after recording five wins from nine starts.

Champion Griffin honours went to Francis Lui-trained Hot Delight. The son of Too Darn Hot completed his debut season with four wins and a fourth from only five starts, climbing 37 rating points to a career-high rating of 89 following a Class 2 victory.

Purton Adds Ninth Jockeys' Title

Zac Purton was crowned Hong Kong Champion Jockey for the ninth time after another dominant campaign. The Australian also reached the significant milestone of 2,000 career victories in Hong Kong during the season.

The remaining season honours, including Champion Trainer, the Tony Cruz Award for the leading homegrown rider, Most Popular Jockey and Most Popular Horse, will be announced following either the Sha Tin meeting on 12 July or the final fixture of the season at Happy Valley on 15 July.

The shared Horse of the Year title reflects the extraordinary standard set by two champions whose achievements defined the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season from start to finish.