A total of 21 individual international Group 1 champions lead the way for the entry list of FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on 28 April. Hong Kong's very own Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Lucky Sweynesse, California Spangle, and Voyage Bubble will compete against contenders from Japan, Europe, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates for ultimate triumph.
Among the 89 entries vying for the record prize money in the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), HK$22 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), and HK$22 million Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) are three winners from last December's Group 1 races at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races - Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, and Lucky Sweynesse.
The international group of 48 is led by Japan with 25 entries - nine more than the previous season. Australia has eight entries, Great Britain has seven, France has four, the United Arab Emirates has three, and Ireland has one, while Hong Kong boasts 41 entries.
There are 12 Group 1 winners from overseas stables participating in the event, with six of them hailing from Australia - Mr Brightside, Arapaho, Atishu, Kovalica, Lindermann, and Shinzo. Additionally, Dubai Honour, who has previously competed in Hong Kong twice, and Regional are representing Great Britain.
Japan’s impressive list of nominees includes Liberty Island, Champagne Color, and Danon Scorpion, all of whom have secured victory in Japanese Group 1 races. Measured Time, the Group 1 winner from the United Arab Emirates, has also been nominated.
Hong Kong's entries consist of nine individual Group 1 winners, among them is the incomparable Golden Sixty. He is currently being prepared to pursue his 11th Group 1 win and an extraordinary fourth consecutive victory in the FWD Champions Mile.
Eight horses have been chosen to participate in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 24 March. These horses, namely Chill Chibi, Galaxy Patch, Helene Feeling, Ka Ying Generation, Helios Express, Massive Sovereign, Star Mac, and Unbelievable, are also entered for FWD Champions Day.
Hong Kong's representation is further strengthened by a group of established and up-and-coming performers, including Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Encountered, Happy Together, Invincible Sage, Lucky With You, Money Catcher, Nervous Witness, Nimble Nimbus, Red Lion, Sight Success, Straight Arron, Sword Point, Taj Dragon, and Howdeepisyourlove.