The stage is set for a thrilling face-off in the upcoming Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin, where Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg is poised to challenge the reigning champion, Romantic Warrior. The event, scheduled for December 10, will see some of the world’s finest thoroughbreds compete in Hong Kong’s richest race.
Luxembourg, rated 123 internationally, is one of the most highly anticipated contenders. This rating aligns him with Highland Reel, another of O’Brien’s stars who clinched victory in the Hong Kong Vase back in 2017. Romantic Warrior, the local hero, shares the same rating, setting the stage for a captivating duel.
The international field for the HK$36 million Cup is impressive, with 16 Group One winners among the entrants. The total prize pool for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) stands at a staggering HK$118 million, attracting 25 overseas competitors across four feature races. This marks an increase from the previous year, highlighting the event’s growing prestige.
Luxembourg, a four-year-old colt, enters the race with an impressive resume, including victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and last year’s Irish Champion Stakes. His most recent performance saw him narrowly edged out in the Irish Champion Stakes, adding to the anticipation of his upcoming performance in Hong Kong.
French hopeful Horizon Dore, another high-rated contender, is still chasing his first Group One triumph, having recently placed third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The Japanese contingent is robust, led by Prognosis, who comes off a strong performance in the Tenno Sho Autumn. Prognosis had previously challenged Romantic Warrior in the QE II Cup, finishing a respectable second. Hishi Iguazu, another Japanese entry, is a familiar name to Hong Kong racing fans, having placed second in the 2021 Hong Kong Cup. Rousham Park, also from Japan, is on a three-race winning streak but will make his Group One debut in Hong Kong.
Romantic Warrior, after his historic Cox Plate win, aims to repeat his success from last year and secure back-to-back Hong Kong Cup victories – a feat last achieved by California Memory.
The local lineup is equally formidable, featuring last year’s third-place finisher Money Catcher, recent Jockey Club Cup winner Straight Arron, and other notable Hong Kong-based competitors.
As the anticipation builds, the Longines Hong Kong Cup promises to be a showcase of top-tier horse racing, blending international flair with local talent in a race that could go down in the annals of the sport.
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