About the race
The FWD Champions Mile is a 1600m turf race at Sha Tin, staged by The Hong Kong Jockey Club on FWD Champions Day, the last Sunday in April. It is open to three-year-olds and upwards, including overseas entries, and carries HK$24 million. First run in 2001 with a purse of HK$4.6 million, it was opened to international runners in 2005 and attained international Group 1 status in 2007. Insurance brand FWD has been the title sponsor since 2019.
The 2025 running on 27 April, worth HK$24 million, went to Red Lion, ridden by Hugh Bowman and trained by John Size, by a short head from Voyage Bubble, with Sunlight Power third. The club reported it as Size’s fifth win in the race. My Wish won the 2026 running for Bowman and trainer Mark Newnham.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 April 2025 | Red Lion | Hugh Bowman | John Size | The Hon Ronald Arculli GBM GBS JP & Johanna K J Arculli BBS |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 April 2026 | My Wish | Hugh Bowman | Mark Newnham | Ada Che Xiao Hong, Suki Tang Xianfang & Ruby Hui Like Sea |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Race day
- FWD Champions Day, the last Sunday in April
- Prize fund in 2025
- HK$24,000,000
- Winner's share (2027)
- HK$13,440,000
- Field size
- Limited to 14 starters
- Free entries close (2027)
- 15 March 2027
Questions readers ask
When is the Champions Mile run?
On FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin, the last Sunday in April. The next running is on Sunday 25 April 2027.
What is the prize fund of the Champions Mile?
HK$24,000,000 for the 25 April 2027 running, as published by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the same as in 2025 and 2026.
Who won the Champions Mile in 2025?
Red Lion, ridden by Hugh Bowman and trained by John Size, won on 27 April 2025.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Introduction & Past Winners: FWD Champions Mile, FWD Champions Day 2026 (HKJC)
- International Racing Overview & Entries, 2026/2027 Group 1 races (HKJC)
- Hong Kong Pattern Book 2026/2027 (HKJC)
- Official result: Sha Tin, 27 April 2025, Race 7 (HKJC)
- 2026 FWD Champions Day Media Guide (HKJC)