Ka Ying Rising has once again confirmed his place at the pinnacle of global sprint racing by adding a 20th consecutive win to his record, triumphing in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The local superstar, partnered once more by jockey Zac Purton—though the trainer did not demand a full ride from the rider—delivered a performance that shattered the existing track record on the Hong Kong circuit. He crossed the finish line a commanding four and a quarter lengths ahead of his nearest challenger, underscoring his dominance over a field that included several high‑profile international competitors.
The runner‑up was Japan’s Satono Reve, a multiple Group One winner and former Royal Ascot runner‑up, who proved to be the best of the rest. He finished well clear of the rest of the field, while Donnacha O'Brien’s Irish‑trained Comanche Brave rounded out the placings in fifth position out of eight starters.
Ka Ying Rising’s victory capped a flawless run through the Hong Kong Speed Series for the second consecutive year, having previously secured wins in the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Trainer David Hayes, who has overseen the horse’s meteoric rise, announced that Ka Ying Rising will now be given a brief respite before being aimed at defending his title in The Everest, Australia’s richest sprint, scheduled for October. Hayes reflected on the horse’s extraordinary achievements, saying, "You tend to worry that you are going to let everyone down.
He doesn't, does he? In the year of the horse, he is now one of the all‑time greats, I think. The way he is running times and rating so incredibly well." Hayes continued, "A long time ago I thought he might have been the best horse I trained and about a year ago I thought he was definitely the best horse I trained.
Now I think he is one of the best horses I have ever seen." These remarks highlight the deep respect the trainer holds for a horse that has consistently delivered top‑class performances across different tracks and conditions. The Chairman's Sprint Prize win was part of a broader night of high‑quality racing that also featured a stellar performance from another Hong Kong legend, Romantic Warrior.
Riding for trainer James McDonald, Romantic Warrior timed his run perfectly to claim his fourth FWD QEII Cup victory. He settled in the pack early, began to make progress with a furlong and a half to go, and then surged forward to win comfortably by a length.
In the same race, Masquerade Ball, who had only edged out Calandagan in the Japan Cup by a head, held on strongly to finish second. Andre Fabre’s Sosie was a further one and a quarter lengths back in third, while Karl Burke’s Royal Champion took fourth place. The card also featured three Group One contests, and among them the FWD Champions Mile saw Harry Eustace’s Docklands finish a respectable third after a solid run.
The race unfolded dramatically in the final furlong when My Wish broke from the pack to launch a challenge, with Docklands following closely behind. My Wish managed to hold on, edging out the fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat, who had surged late to finish just half a length behind. Docklands’ jockey Mark Zahra praised his mount after the race, stating, "He ran super.
He settled back nice and comfy off - not a hectic speed, but he got the split at the right time, and credit to him for running third." Zahra’s comments illustrate the tactical patience required in top‑level sprint racing, where timing the final acceleration can be the difference between victory and a place finish. Ka Ying Rising’s 20‑win streak is not merely a statistical curiosity; it reflects a combination of elite breeding, meticulous training, and strategic race placement. The horse’s ability to consistently break track records suggests a physiological edge—perhaps a superior stride length, efficient oxygen utilization, and an innate competitive drive.
Moreover, the partnership between Hayes and Purton has been finely tuned, with Purton’s riding style complementing the horse’s natural speed and temperament. Looking ahead, the focus will shift to The Everest in Australia, a race that attracts the world’s fastest sprinters and offers a prize pool that dwarfs most other events.
If Ka Ying Rising can replicate his Hong Kong form on Australian soil, he could cement his status as the pre‑eminent sprinter of his generation, joining the ranks of legends such as Black Caviar and Winx in terms of global impact. For racing enthusiasts who wish to stay updated on the latest developments, interviews, and feature stories, platforms like Sky Sports Racing provide comprehensive coverage across mobile devices. The ongoing narrative of Ka Ying Rising, along with other Hong Kong greats like Romantic Warrior, continues to captivate fans worldwide, illustrating the enduring allure of top‑flight thoroughbred sprinting.