According to the latest Hong Kong International Ratings released by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, covering performances up to 13 July, KA YING RISING tops the list on a rating of 131, sharing the position as the world’s highest-rated racehorse with British representative OMBUDSMAN. ROMANTIC WARRIOR, rated 126, is tied for third in the global rankings. One has dominated the sprinting division, while the other has excelled across distances ranging from a mile to staying trips. The two Hong Kong representatives captured a combined ten Group 1 races this season, so it was hardly surprising that they were jointly crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year.
From the beginning to the end of the season, KA YING RISING barely stopped breaking records. He not only travelled to Australia and won The Everest but also extended his winning sequence to 20 races, setting new Sha Tin track records over both 1,400 metres and 1,200 metres along the way. His rating of 131 confirms that he is no longer merely Hong Kong’s best sprinter—he has genuinely reached the very highest level of world racing.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR, meanwhile, continued to produce extraordinary performances despite turning eight. He completed a clean sweep of the Stewards’ Cup, Hong Kong Gold Cup and Champions & Chater Cup, becoming only the third Hong Kong Triple Crown winner in history. His ability to maintain such a high standard remains remarkable.
The first horse worth watching is MY WISH, who has been awarded an international rating of 117. According to The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the five-year-old’s domestic rating rose from 105 to 124 this season, reflecting his significant improvement. He has already shown that he is capable of competing at the highest level over a mile. Unlike many horses that rely heavily on race tempo or favourable circumstances, MY WISH possesses a more versatile racing style. He can settle behind the leaders before producing a late challenge, while he is also capable of taking up a more prominent position in the early stages.
Another horse who must be included on the watchlist is this season’s Hong Kong Derby winner, INVINCIBLE IBIS. According to The Hong Kong Jockey Club, he began the season with a domestic rating of only 55 before progressing all the way from Class 4 to the highest level of competition. He recorded five victories from nine starts, while his rating surged to 112 by the end of the season—an increase of 57 points. He was subsequently named both Champion Four-Year-Old and Most Improved Horse. That upward trajectory alone suggests that he may still have further improvement to come.
Overall, Hong Kong racing is not only represented at world-class level by KA YING RISING and ROMANTIC WARRIOR. Emerging forces such as MY WISH and INVINCIBLE IBIS are also waiting in the wings. Which horse can take another step forward next season and eventually assume a leading role will be one of the most compelling storylines to follow in Hong Kong racing.
