23 individual Group 1 winners headline entries for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, 26 April at Sha Tin – all seeking the opportunity to race for the record HK$78 million in prizemoney across three of world racing’s premier contests in Hong Kong.

Representing connections from around the globe, 101 horses will be considered for spots in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) – with each race limited to 14 runners.

By Declan Schuster

Trainer Jimmy Ting believes a remedial course of barrier practice has star talent Little Paradise right on track for the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) – the city’s most coveted crown – at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (22 March).

By Declan Schuster

Andrea Atzeni believes a return to sprinting will prove decisive for Crimson Flash (120lb) when the four-year-old gelding takes aim at a stacked HK$2.84 million Class 2 Daisy Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday (18 March) at Happy Valley.

Trained by Mark Newnham, Crimson Flash steps down in distance after finishing 11th in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February. The three-time winner is a dual victor over tomorrow night’s course and distance – each time under Atzeni.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, March 18, 2026)

Paul Lally
R1 3-5-10-4
R2 2-1-8-4
R3 1-3-12-11
R4 1-3-12-5
R5 5-6-9-1
R6 6-3-4-9
R7 10-1-6-4
R8 7-11-1-10
R9 1-11-3-7

Best Bet R3 N1 Parents’ Love
Longshot R7 N10 Son Pak Fu
Play R6 QQP 3-4-6

Tom Wood
R1: 4-3-7-10
R2: 8-4-1-2
R3: 1-3-8-12
R4: 5-1-10-2
R5: 5-12-6-3
R6: 3-1-6-2
R7: 6-1-7-8
R8: 7-2-11-12
R9: 12-1-3-9

BEST: R7 N6 CRIMSON FLASH (WIN)
VALUE: R2 N8 SHOOTING TO TOP (EW)
PLAY: R9 QQP 1,3,12

By Declan Schuster

There was a time when Keith Yeung contemplated retirement, but on Sunday afternoon (22 March) at Sha Tin, he’ll take a ride for one of Hong Kong’s most successful trainers in the race that everyone in the city wants to win.

On track for one of his best seasons yet, a resurgent Yeung will partner Juneau Pride in the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) for 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer John Size. It is a unique chance that came as a surprise to the 37-year-old.

In the 13th instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we dial in on the make-up of the field for the city’s most prestigious race and look at how the 14 runners have come to stand on the edge of glory.
 
Barring any mishaps, the field for the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday (22 March) is set, with all the biggest names from this season’s four-year-old crop featuring.
 

By Leo Schlink

Preparing to partner Sagacious Life in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) next Sunday (22 March), Karis Teetan hit peak form with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday (15 March) as six other participants – Keith Yeung, Harry Bentley, Chris So, John Size, Francis Lui and David Hall – figured prominently.

Gaelic Warrior raced near the front for the first three miles of Friday’s Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The last part of the race, covering a little more than a quarter-mile, was not a contest.

Gaelic Warrior drew away to win by eight lengths under jockey Paul Townend, the widest margin of victory since A Plus Tard scored by 15 lengths in 2022.

Friday’s Gold Cup was not without tragedy, however. Envoi Allen, a popular 12-year-old gelding who won 10 Grade 1 races in 31 starts, collapsed and died after finishing ninth of 10.