Record Sha Tin crowd as Ka Ying Rising extends win streak on Champions Day

The record number of tourists descended on Sha Tin on Sunday as Ka Ying Rising delivered a dominant display, extending his reputation as the sport's leading sprinter and recording a 20th consecutive victory. Attendance was reported at around 40,000, with mainland visitors numbering 13,000, and turnover reaching HK$1.8 billion, an 18.3% increase. Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges described the meeting as one of the best race meetings in Hong Kong, saying the event aimed to be a global racing showcase. “Today was an absolutely special day,” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the HKJC CEO, said. “I believe this was one of the best, if not the best race meetings ever in Hong Kong.” “But what we are really doing is from the sporting side and I believe this was, what we humbly say, is the greatest show on turf,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “This is what we aim for, this is what we want to achieve in the Jockey Club – to create a global racing event. Our whole policy of equine tourism, we think we are on track there and you will see we are doing more around this.” The tourism side included Korean singer Hwasa, of girl group Mamamoo, and fans had packed the parade ring to capacity long before she launched into her three-song set, after local star Pakho Chau got things started. Visitors came from further afield as well, with couple Hiroto and Yuki Hattori there to support Japan favourites Masquerade Ball and Jantar Mantar.