April 27 (UPI) -- While the Kentucky Derby candidates go through final preparations at Churchill Downs and their connections' tension mounts, much of the major weekend horse racing action was on the international front -- with the world's top two horses winning in Hong Kong and Arc winner Daryz opening the year with a victory in France.
The two best horses in the world, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, defended local honor with ease in Sunday's Champions Day at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. My Wish contributed his part to a sweep of the three Group 1 races. A powerful Japanese squad was humbled.
Ka Ying Rising, No. 1 in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, took off down the stretch to win the Chairman's Sprint Prize by 4 1/4 lengths over top Japanese sprinter Satono Reve.
For the Hong Kong star, it was 20 wins in a row and a fourth time lowering the course record for 1,200 meters.
"It was pretty painless," winning rider Zac Purton said. "The Japanese have sent their best sprinter over today and he's handled him with a lot of authority."
Romantic Warrior, currently holding down the No. 2 spot in the Longines Rankings, won his fifth straight race in the 2,000-meters QE II Cup against a field acclaimed before the race as one of the strongest in decades.
With James McDonald in the kip, the 8-year-old hit the front with 250 meters left and coasted home first by 1 length. Immediately in his wake were major international stars Masquerade Ball from Japan, Sosie from France and Royal Champion from England.
"He is just bulletproof, really," McDonald said of Romantic Warrior. "I thought the opposition today was very warranted. I had great respect for it and was actually quite worried about it with that Masquerade Ball. I thought he was incredible, and he is one of the best in Japan."
My Wish might not be at the star level of Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, but he certainly did his job in the Champions Mile. Racing from off the pace, he took the lead midway down the Sha Tin stretch and held off Cap Ferrat by a neck, reversing the order of finish from the 2025 Hong Kong Derby.
Another Japanese powerhouse, top miler and race favorite Jantar Mantar, beat only one rival after missing the break.
Reigning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz picked right up where he left off in October with a smashing victory in Sunday's Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp.
The Sea the Stars colt settled perfectly for jockey Mickael Barzalona, waited patiently and then responded immediately when given the go sign, spurting off to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Trainer Francis Graffard said Daryz "is definitely stronger and is more mature," Racing Post reported. He said the goal now is the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, with an intervening run to keep him sharp.
That, he said, might be the May 21 race formerly called the Prix Ispahan, now the Prix Aga Khan IV -- appropriate as Daryz runs for his breeder, the Aga Khan Studs, now helmed by the charming Princess Zahra.
Sandown had three important early-season events Friday.
William Buick took Opera Ballo right to the lead in the Group 2 bet365 Mile and cruised home first by 3 lengths over the even-money favorite, Field of Gold. Previously undefeated Zeus Olympios settled for third.
Opera Ballo, a Godolphin homebred 4-year-old by Ghalyyath, got his seventh win from nine starts. The wins include the Group 1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai in his previous outing.
Shadwell's Raaheeb, always close, went to the lead 2 furlongs out in the Group 3 Bet364 Classic Trial at 1 1/4 miles and kicked away to a 3 1/4-length victory over Godolphin's Al Zanoti. Wise Prince was third and Coolmore's Action was fourth.
Raheeb, a Sea the Stars colt, was making just his second start.
Saddadd outfinished King of Cities to win the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths, with the favorite, Almeric, third.