2026 FWD Champions Day

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) is continuing its Year of the Horse Campaign with the theme “Riding High Together in the Year of the Horse”, which aims to honour the profound partnership between human and horse and to unite the community through thrilling races, international equestrian spectacles and a special series of cultural, sporting and family events. The year-long campaign is a community celebration, a tourist attraction and an opportunity to promote equine and community sports development. Another world-class racing spectacle is set to take centre stage soon, with FWD Champions Day returning to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

As one of the most iconic international racing events, FWD Champions Day offers not only a prestigious stage for some of the world's top racehorses to compete for glory, but also a major platform for showcasing Hong Kong's appeal as a global sports and entertainment destination. Each year, the event draws thousands of local fans and visitors from the Mainland China and overseas to Sha Tin Racecourse, where they witness top-tier jockeys and champion thoroughbreds battle for supremacy, experiencing Hong Kong's unique racing culture first-hand.

Sha Tin Racecourse will present a dynamic line-up of exciting entertainment, fabulous rewards, interactive experiences and limited-edition themed merchandise and culinary delights on event day – all adding up to a raceday experience like no other! Highlights include K-pop powerhouse HWASA of MAMAMOO, making her debut live performance at Sha Tin Racecourse as an opening act¹, and renowned singer Pakho Chau, also taking the Parade Ring stage for the first time to perform his hit songs.

Racegoers can enter the Year of the Horse Golden Lucky Draw2 for a chance to win a designated "Harmonious Horse" Gold Bar Set worth around HK$100,000. They are also invited to join the "Gallop for Treasure" interactive challenge for a chance to win exciting prizes.

Hong Kong stars Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior ready to make more history

FWD Champions Day has long served as a prestigious stage for some of the world's leading racehorses to showcase their prowess, bringing together champion thoroughbreds from around the globe to compete for supremacy. This year, three exhilarating Group 1 races – the Chairman's Sprint Prize (Race 5), FWD Champions Mile (Race 7), and the FWD QEII Cup (Race 9) – will take centre stage once again, with an alluring record-high total prize pool of HK$78 million promising a world-class showdown at the pinnacle of international racing.

Besides top international contenders from around the world, Hong Kong's home-grown racing heroes are drawing more attention this year. Ka Ying Rising, currently ranked the top of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings, has already achieved an extraordinary 18-race winning streak – breaking Hong Kong's all-time record for consecutive wins. Set to contest the Chairman's Sprint Prize, the champion is poised to captivate spectators as the undisputed focus of the day. Meanwhile Romantic Warrior, our global champion and first horse to win the FWD QEII Cup three years in a row, returns to bid for another win in this race again, aiming to achieve an unprecedented fourth FWD QEII Cup victory and write more new chapters of racing history.

Racing fans are cordially invited to join the action at Sha Tin Racecourse, cheer on Hong Kong's champions as they strive for glory, and witness Hong Kong racing reach new heights on the global stage.

K-pop powerhouse HWASA to give electrifying opening performance

FWD Champions Day is not only a prestigious stage for elite racehorses, but also a dynamic platform where international and local stars can connect with fans up close. This year, the event is thrilled to welcome HWASA of popular K-pop girl group MAMAMOO to Hong Kong as the opening performer, setting the tone for an unforgettable day. Known for her bold and captivating stage presence, HWASA seamlessly blends confidence with musical artistry, delivering performances that showcase her unique personality and undeniable charisma. She officially launched her solo career in 2019 with the hit single TWIT, which resonated strongly with fans worldwide and earned top placements on major music charts. More recently, HWASA has seen her popularity soar with the release of Good Goodbye, a track that has broken multiple personal records – its music video has surpassed 130 million views on the world's largest video platform, further cementing her status as a global K-pop sensation.

After holding her first fan concert (fancon) tour in Hong Kong in 2024, HWASA carries cherished and unforgettable memories of the city. She has since returned for work with her MAMAMOO groupmates, and commented: "I love Hong Kong – it's such a vibrant, dynamic place, and the music fans here are incredibly passionate. Their support always warms my heart." HWASA once drew inspiration from classic Hong Kong films for stage styling at her fancon, even performing a beloved Cantonese song in the language. She reflected: "I truly admire Cantopop and Hong Kong cinema. When I incorporated local Hong Kong elements into my fancon here, the preparation process helped me gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city's unique culture." 

Looking ahead to her debut performance at Sha Tin Racecourse, HWASA added: "I'm truly honoured to be part of FWD Champions Day and to perform in the Parade Ring. The opportunity to interact up close with racing fans on such a distinctive Hong Kong stage is something I'm really looking forward to. Horse racing is also one of Hong Kong's iconic tourism experiences – being able to witness this thrilling spectacle first-hand and immerse myself in the city's authentic racing culture will definitely be an eye-opening adventure for me!"

Renowned singer Pakho Chau makes Parade Ring debut with his hit songs

Having wrapped up a recent concert and book signing event, renowned Cantopop singer Pakho Chau is already gearing up for his highly anticipated debut performance in the Parade Ring at Sha Tin Racecourse, where he will serenade racegoers with a few of his greatest hits. Sharing his excitement, Pakho remarked: "I’m truly honoured to be part of this performance! I've often seen many local and international artists perform in the Parade Ring across different media – that stage has such an iconic atmosphere and represents something truly special in Hong Kong. With the opportunity to collaborate in this Year of the Horse, being able to unlock this milestone just before celebrating my 20th anniversary in the industry next year holds extra meaning for me."

On preparing for this special performance, he explained: "Beyond carefully curating the set list and rehearsing my songs, I'll also be practicing with dancers, hoping to deliver this memorable performance at my absolute best." Known for his close bond with fans, Pakho said: "I truly cherish every opportunity to perform and every moment of connection with my fans. For me, these moments are not just part of my work, but significant milestones in my life and musical journey. It's like the surge of energy when a horse crosses the finish line – it gives me the drive to keep moving forward. I can't wait to interact closely with my fans and the audience on the day, feel their passion and cheers – I believe it will be an incredibly electrifying experience!"

Enter lucky draw2 for chance to win designated Gold Bar Set worth around HK$100,000!

Each year, FWD Champions Day features a series of interactive programmes and rewards for racegoers, immersing them in the festive atmosphere and enjoyment of this international racing celebration. Before 3:30pm, all racegoers can simply scan the designated QR code on site to register for the "2026 FWD Champions Day – Year of the Horse Golden Lucky Draw"2, and stand a chance to win the grand prize of a designated “Harmonious Horse" Gold Bar Set valued at around HK$100,000, plus a host of other exciting rewards.

Exciting rewards, themed food and merchandise – creating an unforgettable racing spectacle

Additionally, the FWD Champions Day programme will feature the themed interactive challenge “Gallop for Treasure", combining real venue scenes, off-course HKJC experience shops with an online challenge, designed to deepen public understanding of the Club and horse racing culture. From 2 – 17 April, participants can first complete the special online version of “Gallop for Treasure x FWD Champions Day Challenge” to collect an e-stamp and enter a lucky draw for a chance to win prizes worth over HK$1 million3!

No spectacular event is complete without exquisite culinary offerings. On FWD Champions Day, Trackside Kiosk 2 in the Public Betting Hall will be offering a selection of limited-supply themed dishes, including Cheesy Tandoori Chicken Carrot Wrap, Salmon & Crab Meat Stuffed with Crab Shell, Crab Roe Futomaki, and Pumpkin Tart with Ricotta and Onion. Racegoers can indulge in these flavourful delights while soaking in the thrilling raceday atmosphere with friends, satisfying their palates and making this unforgettable day even more complete!

Meanwhile the Gift at Races shop has specially created six new themed merchandise items for FWD Champions Day, including a jacket, cap, sitting horse plush and 999.9 gold craftsmanship gold coin lucky charm (approximately 0.2g). On FWD Champions Day, racegoers can enjoy limited-time offers at the Gift at Races outlets inside Sha Tin Racecourse: purchase a designated jacket and cap together for a bundle price of HK$388; Or buy a designated sitting horse plush and receive a free designated Sha Tin Racecourse pin; Additionally, they can enjoy 20% off on designated horse merchandise on site. Racing fans and trendsetters in pursuit of lifestyle taste should not miss this opportunity to add more colour and memories to their raceday!

Two must-visit destinations, Genso and Champions Connection –

entertainment landmarks and cultural spaces powered by cutting-edge digital technology

To enjoy a complete and unforgettable raceday experience, racegoers should not miss the Club's two innovative facilities launched last year – Genso and Champions Connection. Designed with cutting-edge digital technology, these venues offer a diverse range of immersive racing experiences and have quickly become sought-after entertainment landmarks and cultural spaces at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Genso is Hong Kong's first four-storey digital racing experience landmark, seamlessly blending the excitement of live horse racing with cutting-edge digital technology to deliver a unique entertainment experience. The venue features a diverse range of culinary offerings, from Fudo Town on Level 3 to the authentic Izakaya on Level 4, where racegoers can indulge in an array of delectable dining experiences.

Additionally, Levels 3M and 4M offer a variety of interactive entertainment options, including AI-powered interactive photo spots, the immersive " Genso Snap" experience, the giant claw machine "Genso Gacha", and the puzzle adventure "Maze Race" – where participants can step into the shoes of a jockey and explore the virtual racing world. On Level 4, the "Genso Isle" provides a tailor-made space to appreciate racing-inspired art while enjoying panoramic views of the world-class live races unfolding below.

At Champions Connection, through immersive digital screens showcasing serene natural landscapes and the graceful elegance of thoroughbreds, racegoers can enjoy a fresh, multi-sensory experience. The venue also features “naked-eye” interactive displays where six interactive digital screens allow guests to explore the stories of legendary racehorses, while a dedicated showcase highlights the signature racing silks and gear of favourite jockeys. On Level 2, a mechanical galloping horse sculpture created by American artist Adrian Landon infuses the space with artistic charm and a sense of motion.

Guests can also discover a selection of speciality kiosks offering authentic local snacks, refreshing beverages, DIY workshops and exclusive racing merchandise – all designed as Instagram-worthy photo moments. Adding a touch of wonder to the journey, Level 4 features two mirror champagne globes adorned with a custom-made lifelike Robotic Horse and a life-sized sakura tree, creating unforgettable highlights and delightful surprises for every visitor.

Sha Tin Racecourse F&B and Guided Tour Package – explore the racecourse with expert insights

To elevate the racing experience for visitors, the Club has introduced a "Sha Tin Racecourse F&B and Guided Tour Package". This package includes complimentary admission plus two HK$50 F&B vouchers, as well as a guided interactive tour of Sha Tin Racecourse led by a knowledgeable ambassador. Guests will enjoy up-close views of the horses in the Parade Ring, witness the thrilling moment when champions cross the finish line, and visit iconic bronze statues, hand-painted mural walls and other popular photo hotspots. Participants can also join a "Racing Edutainment" session, where a Club Racing Specialist will share unique perspectives on horses and jockeys, as well as exclusive racing insights – deepening appreciation for the sport while adding an educational dimension to the raceday experience. For more details, please visit booking site.

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