Ka Ying Rising added another chapter to his storied racing CV and the global racing elite joined K-pop stars, local celebrities and visitors from across the world on Sunday at one of Hong Kong’s biggest race days of the season.

Such was the excitement at FWD Champions Day that seats surrounding the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse were full nearly an hour before performances by MAMAMOO’s Hwasa and local artist Pakho Chau, as fans waited with support boards and crown headbands.

Chau opened the entertainment with a newly choreographed version of his song “In the Ring” to energise the crowd, followed by two more tracks that were greeted by cheers across the racecourse.

The Hong Kong singer said in a short interview that he would stay to watch his favourite horse, Romantic Warrior, because he liked the name and what it represented: “a warrior, pushing forward while remaining stable and romantic”.

The appearance of South Korean singer Hwasa raised the party atmosphere even more as she performed “So Cute” and the rhythmic “Twit”, concluding with the ballad “Good Goodbye.”

Local fans and first-time visitors Hiuki Lam, 29, and Heesica Yeung only attended the event to see the Korean singer.

“I previously only bet on my phone for luck, but I came here today specifically to see Hwasa’s performance, and the atmosphere here is great,” Lam said.

After the opening show, both women planned to explore the food stalls, watch the races and bet about HK$200 (US$25) during the day.

Tourists Hiroto and Yuki Hattori were visiting specifically for the races and lined up equine plushies along the trackside railing at the finish line to cheer for their favourite Japanese runners.

The couple are weekly fixtures at tracks back home.

“The atmosphere is different from Japanese racecourses; the straight is longer, and the scenery is beautiful,” Hiroto said.

Their collection featured Masquerade Ball and Jantar Mantar, whom they have followed “since their very first races”.

The pair planned to place modest bets of 1,000 yen (US$6) to support their horses and hoped they finished first.

The day featured champions from around the world competing in three International Group 1 races: the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, the FWD Champions Mile, and the FWD Insurance Queen Elizabeth II Cup, with total prize money of HK$78 million.

Ka Ying Rising, currently the world’s best horse, won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize to claim his 20th consecutive victory amid heavy cheers.

The event included a range of entertainment, exclusive gifts, interactive experiences and themed merchandise, with attendees entering a lucky draw for gold bars valued at approximately HK$100,000.

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