Hong Kong’s FWD Champions Day 2026 attracted more than 41,000 spectators to Sha Tin Racecourse, including over 13,000 visitors from mainland China and overseas, marking a 40% increase from the same event last year, as reported by local media.
The annual international racing showcase featured 11 races, including three Group 1 contests open to global contenders. Organizers said the strong turnout lifted cumulative tourist attendance for the current season’s first eight months beyond 300,000, surpassing last season’s total with more than two months still remaining.
On the track, Hong Kong’s top-ranked horses delivered headline performances. Ka Ying Rising defended the Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1,200 meters, extending its winning streak to 20 and setting a new course record of 1:07.10 at Sha Tin. Officials said total betting turnover for the day exceeded HK$1.79bn, the highest ever recorded for Champions Day and the largest of the current racing season.
Beyond horseracing, organizers combined sport and entertainment to broaden the event’s appeal. Korean singer Hwasa headlined the opening performance, while Hong Kong artist Pakho Chau marked his 20th anniversary with a live appearance, drawing younger audiences to the venue.
CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the race day as one of the most successful in the club’s history, emphasizing that the goal is to create an international sporting spectacle that blends elite competition with world-class entertainment.
Over the past decade, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has also donated nearly HK$6.7bn to support sports development at both elite and community levels, reinforcing its role in promoting horseracing as part of the city’s broader sports and tourism strategy.
The race day has been listed for three consecutive years as a major event on Hong Kong’s annual mega events calendar
