Sha Tin Racecourse | Spring International Racing Event 'FWD Champions Day' to be held at Sha Tin Racecourse on 26 April, with World Champions gathering and three Group 1 races on the same day, and two great champions, 'Kalang HightSYN' and 'Romantic Warri

Description

The Hong Kong Jockey Club joins the community in 'Galloping into an exciting Year of the Horse with unity, harmony and progress', presenting a series of year-long events to showcase the extraordinary partnership between man and horse. Through a range of world-class racing events, equestrian competitions, and cultural, sports and family-friendly activities, the city will celebrate together, boosting local tourism and promoting equine sports and sports development.

The annual spring international racing event, 'FWD Champions Day', will be held on Sunday, 26 April at Sha Tin Racecourse. As one of the most prestigious international racing festivals, 'FWD Champions Day' is not only a stage for the world's top racehorses to compete for glory, but also an important platform for Hong Kong to showcase its international sports and entertainment appeal. Every year, the event attracts a large number of local citizens, as well as mainland and overseas visitors, to Sha Tin Racecourse to witness the world's top jockeys and racehorses compete for championship honours and experience Hong Kong's unique racing culture.

A host of entertaining programmes, exclusive privileges, interactive experiences, themed merchandise and culinary delights will be offered at Sha Tin Racecourse on the day, creating a unique racing festival! Highlights include the first-ever performance at Sha Tin Racecourse by Hwasa, member of popular K-pop girl group MAMAMOO, as the opening performer1, and a performance by renowned singer Chau Pak Ho on the Parade Ring stage; plus, a lucky draw will give attendees the chance to win a designated 'Fusion Horse' gold bar set2 valued at approximately HK$100,000, and everyone can take part in the interactive 'Horse Hunting' challenge to win prizes!

Hong Kong champions 'Kalang HightSYN' and 'Romantic Warrior' are all set to create another glorious history

Every year, 'FWD Champions Day' provides an important stage for international top-class horses to showcase their talent, gathering world-class champions to compete on the same stage. Three Group 1 races — the Chairman's Sprint Prize (Race 5), the FWD Champions Mile (Race 7) and the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Race 9) — will be held on the same day, with a total prize money of HK$78 million for the three Group 1 races, breaking the record once again and setting the stage for a world-class showdown!

In addition to top-notch horses from around the world, local outstanding champions are also highly anticipated. Among them, 'Kalang HightSYN', ranked first on the World's Best Racehorse Rankings, has achieved an impressive 18 consecutive wins, breaking the record for the longest winning streak by a Hong Kong-trained racehorse. 'Kalang HightSYN' will compete in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, aiming to claim the title and become the centre of attention. Another world-class middle-distance champion, 'Romantic Warrior', is the first horse in history to win the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup three years in a row. Our world-class champion will strive for victory once again, aiming for a fourth win in this prestigious race and continuing to make history. Horse racing fans are invited to come and cheer on the Hong Kong champions as they compete for glory, witnessing Hong Kong racing reaching new heights on the international stage.

K-pop star Hwasa to kick off the event with dynamic songs and dances

'FWD Champions Day' is not only a stage for horses to compete for glory, but also a platform for international and local stars to interact with their fans up close. This year, the event has invited Hwasa, member of popular K-pop girl group MAMAMOO, to perform in Hong Kong, kicking off the festivities. Hwasa's performance style is uniquely captivating, blending confidence and musicality to showcase her distinctive stage presence. In 2019, she officially released her first solo work, 'TWIT', which was well-received by fans and topped multiple important music charts. Recently, her song 'Good Goodbye' has gained popularity again, setting new personal records, and the music video has surpassed 30 million views on the world's largest video platform.

Hwasa held her first solo fan concert in Hong Kong in 2024, leaving her with fond memories. She has also visited Hong Kong with other MAMAMOO members for work, and shared her thoughts: 'I really like Hong Kong. It's a vibrant and colourful place, and the fans here are very passionate. Their support makes me feel warm.' With a particular fondness for Hong Kong culture, Hwasa incorporated Hong Kong movie elements into her solo fan concert in the city and performed a classic song in Cantonese, expressing her appreciation for Cantonese songs and movies. 'I admire Cantonese songs and movies. By including Hong Kong elements in my solo fan concert here, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong culture during the preparation process.' On her first performance at Sha Tin Racecourse, Hwasa commented: 'It's a great honour to be part of 'FWD Champions Day' and perform at the Parade Ring. I'm excited to interact with the audience up close on this unique Hong Kong stage. Moreover, horse racing is an important feature of Hong Kong tourism, and I believe it will be an eye-opening experience to witness the thrilling races and immerse myself in the local racing culture.'

Renowned singer Chau Pak Ho to perform at the Parade Ring for the first time

Hong Kong renowned singer Chau Pak Ho has just completed a fan meeting and book signing event in Hong Kong, and is now gearing up for his first performance at the Parade Ring on 26 April, where he will sing a number of his hit songs. Pak Ho shared: 'I feel very honoured to be part of this performance! In fact, I often see local and international singers performing at the Parade Ring through various media platforms, and the stage is always full of atmosphere and significance. It's especially meaningful for me to have this opportunity during the Year of the Horse, and to unlock this achievement before my 20th anniversary in the industry next year.'

Regarding the preparation for the performance, he revealed: 'I will be selecting songs and practising with dancers for this performance, striving to present my best form for this memorable event.' Known for his dedication to his fans, Pak Ho added: 'I cherish every opportunity to perform and interact with my fans. To me, these are not just part of my job, but also important milestones in my life and music journey, giving me the power to keep moving forward, just like a horse charging towards the finish line. I'm really looking forward to interacting with my fans and the audience up close, feeling their enthusiasm and hearing their cheers, which I'm sure will be an extraordinary experience.'

Lucky draw participants stand a chance to win a designated gold bar set worth approximately HK$100,0002

'FWD Champions Day' always offers a range of exclusive privileges and interactive activities for attendees, allowing them to immerse themselves in the international racing festival atmosphere and enjoy the fun. Attendees who scan the designated QR code inside the venue and complete the registration before 3:30pm on the day will be eligible to participate in the '2026 FWD Champions Day – Year of the Horse Lucky Draw'2, with a chance to win a grand prize of a designated 'Fusion Horse' gold bar set worth approximately HK$100,000, along with other fabulous prizes!

A memorable racing festival with exclusive privileges, themed cuisine and merchandise

In addition, a themed interactive challenge, 'Horse Hunting', will be held inside the venue, combining the racecourse setting, off-course experience stores and designated online activities to engage the public and enhance their understanding of the Club and racing culture. From 2 to 17 April, participants can complete the 'Horse Hunting – FWD Champions Day Special Edition Game' online and obtain an electronic stamp to enter the lucky draw for a chance to win prizes worth over HK$1 million in total!3

Of course, a fantastic festival like this must include special cuisine! On the day, the 'Public Stand Snack Bar No. 2' will offer a range of limited-time-only themed dishes, including Mexican rolls with Tendori chicken and cheese carrots, salmon and crab meat-stuffed crab shells, Japanese crab roe maki rolls, and Italian cheese pumpkin tarts, allowing spectators to enjoy delicious food with friends while watching the thrilling races, making the day even more memorable.

'Gift Shop by the Racetrack' has launched six new themed items especially for 'FWD Champions Day', including jackets, sports caps, sitting pony plush toys, and 999.9 gold craft lucky charms (approx. 0.2g). On the day of the event, the Sha Tin Racecourse store will offer a special package price of HK$388 for a designated jacket and sports cap, and a free designated Sha Tin Racecourse brooch with the purchase of a designated sitting pony plush toy. There will also be a 20% discount on merchandise related to the competing horses on the day. Don't miss the chance to visit the Sha Tin Racecourse store and cheer on the local horses!

Two popular facilities, 'Tenma Station' and 'Lien Club', offer entertainment landmarks and cultural spaces with cutting-edge digital technology

To complete the perfect day of racing entertainment, be sure to visit the two facilities launched by the Club last year with cutting-edge digital technology — 'Tenma Station' and 'Lien Club'. These facilities provide a diverse range of racing experiences and have quickly become popular entertainment landmarks and cultural spaces.

'Tenma Station' is Hong Kong's first four-storey digital racing experience landmark, combining the excitement of live racing with cutting-edge digital technology to offer a unique entertainment experience. It features a variety of dining options, from Fudo Town on the 3rd floor to Izakaya on the 4th floor, offering delightful culinary experiences. Additionally, the 3M and 4M floors provide interactive entertainment, including AI interactive photo spots and an immersive experience called 'Tenma Light and Shadow', a giant claw machine called 'Tenma Master', and a puzzle game called 'Inheritance and Horse Understanding' where you can experience the virtual racing world as a jockey. The 'Tenma Cloud Platform' on the 4th floor displays horse-related artwork and allows visitors to watch world-class live races.

On the other hand, 'Lien Club' presents a brand-new sensory experience at Sha Tin Racecourse with immersive digital screens showcasing grand natural landscapes and the graceful movements of thoroughbreds. Inside, the 'Legendary Horse Corridor' features six interactive digital screens displaying legendary racehorses, and the 'Elite Jockey Showcase' displays their dedicated racing equipment. On the 2nd floor, the mechanical dynamic horse sculpture 'Galloping Horse' by American artist Adrian Landon adds a unique artistic charm and dynamic atmosphere to the space. There are also特色 stalls offering local snacks, drinks, DIY workshops and racecourse souvenirs, creating multiple photo-worthy spots. Moreover, the two champagne balls on the 4th floor feature customised mechanical horses and a sakura pavilion, adding highlights and surprises to the visitor experience.

'Sha Tin Racecourse Dining and Racecourse Tour Package' – Explore Sha Tin Racecourse with a guided tour

To enhance the racing experience for visitors, a 'Sha Tin Racecourse Dining and Racecourse Tour Package' is offered, which includes free admission, two HK$50 dining vouchers, and a guided tour to explore Sha Tin Racecourse, allowing visitors to observe the horses up close in the Parade Ring and witness the thrilling moment of the race finish at the winning post. Visitors can also visit popular photo spots such as the 'Horse King' statue and the art wall. They can also participate in the 'King of Racing Commentary' segment, where they can listen to explanations about the horses and jockeys and gain unique racing insights. For more details, please refer to the booking website.

'2026 FWD Champions Day' details:
Date: 26 April 2026 (Sunday)
Time:
10:30am – Gates open

11:20am – Activities begin

12:30pm – First race starts
Venue: Sha Tin Racecourse

Feature races:
Race 5 – Chairman's Sprint Prize

Race 7 – FWD Champions Mile

Race 9 – FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Enquiries: 1817
Note: For event details, terms and conditions, please refer to the event website: https://shorturl.at/jniQg. Programmes, activities and offers are subject to change without notice. The Hong Kong Jockey Club reserves the right to make the final decision. All photos are for reference only.
Reservations for public facilities at the racecourse: From now on, please visit www.bookingrc.hkjc.com to make reservations for public facilities at the racecourse and enjoy an exceptional racing experience.

1 Crowd control measures will be implemented at Sha Tin Racecourse on the event day. Please follow the instructions of the staff. For details, please refer to the event website.

2 The promotion lottery licence number is 61212 (applicable to the lucky draw only). This lucky draw is only applicable to those who have completed the designated registration at Sha Tin Racecourse before 3:30pm on 26 April. The activity is subject to terms and conditions. All photos are for reference only.  

3 The promotion lottery licence number is 61135-40 (only applicable to the lucky draw). For details, please refer to the 'Horse Hunting' activity website.