appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Stephy Zhang

Hong Kong brought the curtain down on another season of racing, with music, fireworks and a double triumph for jockey Joao Moreira at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Not even the rain that had hammered the city for much of the day could dampen the spirits of a large crowd determined to enjoy the atmosphere one last time before the summer break.
And after 866 races over 88 days in the past 11 months, the nine-race card marked the end of the 2025-26 campaign in which Caspar Fownes took home the trainers’ championship and Zac Purton again won the jockeys’ title.
Fittingly, in the Year of the Horse, two of the best the city has ever produced, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, made history as the first joint winners of the award for the year’s top quadruped.
With a party atmosphere hanging over the racecourse alongside the dark clouds, spectators used tissues to wipe rain off outdoor seats, some watched performances under umbrellas, and others stood chatting in the light drizzle.

Shaun Liam Soltesz and a group of friends, who were on a two-week trip to Hong Kong from Melbourne, used the occasion to celebrate his 40th birthday. They came dressed in T-shirts bearing a photograph of his face and ready to enjoy the evening to its fullest.
“The vibes are great,” Soltesz said. “We love the rain. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s not going to affect the track. We still got a soft course out here. We are hammered, but we love this. This is a beautiful part of the world.”
No strangers to the likes of jockey Karis Teetan, who also had a winner with Thriving Brothers, Purton and Hugh Bowman, Soltesz said he was looking forward to “watching them go past”.

For local racing fan Ryan Wong Shun-him, the day was different. While he usually watches the races alone, he was joined this time by his parents and younger brother.
“My whole family was looking forward to it,” he said. “Previously, my parents and I had only been to the Sha Tin racecourse, but this time we got to experience the night races and watch from a restaurant terrace up close.
“My younger brother likes Western pop songs, and Happy Valley has a live DJ between races, so they thought the atmosphere would be more ‘energetic’ and immersive.”
He said the season finale coincided with his brother’s 18th birthday, so they booked a table at the Moon Koon Restaurant to celebrate and enjoy a meal together.

“Usually I come to the racecourse alone. For this season finale, I came with my family. If the horses I studied or bet on win, I can immediately share the joy with my family or loved ones,” he said.
Having felt a connection with horses since childhood, the 20-year-old said he fell in love with racing in Japan about four years ago. As a veteran fan who attended both the season opener and finale, and having taken part in almost 40 race days this season, he hoped that, as a bonus, the horses he studied or followed would win.
“I hope the veteran horse Harmony N Blessed does well in the final race, João Moreira delivers a stellar performance during his guest stint today, and Derek Leung gets a good result,” he said. “I also hope to catch the goggles thrown during the finale party.”
Teachers He Xinyi and Jiao Lu from Qingdao, Shandong, felt incredibly lucky on their trip to Hong Kong, managing to catch the final two meetings of the season during their summer break.

“We originally came to Hong Kong to watch a show, but we discovered we could catch the final two races at Sha Tin on Sunday and today, so we decided we had to experience both to see the difference,” He said.
The pair said they were most looking forward to the night’s performances. While Sha Tin offered a larger venue on Sunday, they had not experienced such a lively atmosphere there, and they wanted to experience the local lifestyle.
“Sunday was a very hot, sunny day, while today’s rain allows us to see a completely different side of racing,” He said, adding the pair were “really lucky and it feels special”.


Frankie Lor unleashes Stormy Grove, Lucky With You and Salon S on key day at Sha Tin

Saffie Osborne and Maxime Guyon among four overseas stars set for winter stints in Hong Kong

Nichola Yuen celebrates first Happy Valley win as David Eustace and Jerry Chau lead quartet of doubles

Andrea Atzeni eyes Happy Valley success before first ride on Helios Express in Celebration Cup

Hong Kong racing

Rain fails to dampen spirits as Hong Kong’s racing season comes to a close at Happy Valley

A large crowd of horse-racing enthusiasts enjoyed the final day of the season at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo

Joao Moreira riding Kyrus Treasure to victory, a feat he also achieved on Fashion Legend. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Shaun Soltesz (second from right) celebrated his birthday with friends. Photo: Karma Lo

Racing fan Ryan Wong (left) was joined by his parents and brother. Photo: Ryan Wong

He Xinyi and Jiao Lu managed to catch the final two meetings. Photo: Stephy Zhang

Caspar Fownes celebrates a fifth trainers’ championship at Sha Tin season finale

Caspar Fownes celebrates his fifth trainers’ championship with jockey Joao Moreira. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Caspar Fownes (second from left) and family celebrate the trainer’s fifth championship.

Hugh Bowman and Beauty Joy return after winning at Sha Tin. 

Beauty Joy, ridden by Hugh Bowman, wins at Sha Tin. 

Mark Newnham thrilled with breakout season and excited for next term with stronger Invincible Ibis

Mark Newnham celebrates his Happy Valley five-timer in March. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Trainer Mark Newnham and jockey Hugh Bowman celebrate Invincible Ibis’ Derby success.

Hugh Bowman guides Invincible Ibis to victory in the Hong Kong Derby.

My Wish wins the Champions Mile under Hugh Bowman.

Crimson Flash gallops on the Sha Tin turf last week.

Sport

Hong Kong

Racing

Large crowd witnesses nine-race card marking the end of the 2025-26 campaign in which Caspar Fownes, Zac Purton prove the big winners


Large crowd witnesses nine-race card marking the end of the 2025-26 campaign in which Caspar Fownes, Zac Purton prove the big winners.


Happy Valley

Zac Purton

Joao Moreira

Caspar Fownes

Rain fails to dampen spirits as Hong Kong’s racing season comes to a close at Happy Valley

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Large crowd witnesses nine-race card marking the end of the 2025-26 campaign in which Caspar Fownes, Zac Purton prove the big winners

Large crowd witnesses nine-race card marking the end of the 2025-26 campaign in which Caspar Fownes, Zac Purton prove the big winners