Ka Ying Rising reinforced his reputation as the premier sprinter on the global stage by securing his twentieth consecutive win in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin, a performance that further solidified his dominance in the sport. Although his regular jockey, Zac Purton, did not ride him for the entire race, the local star once again shattered the Sha Tin track record, finishing a decisive four and a quarter lengths ahead of his struggling competitors.
The field included multiple Group One winners from Japan and a Royal Ascot runner-up, Satono Reve, who managed to hold second place, while Donnacha O'Brien's Irish-bred challenger Comanche Brave rounded out the eight-horse field in fifth. Trained by the veteran David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising completed the Hong Kong Speed Series for the second consecutive year, having previously triumphed in both the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup. Hayes announced that the champion will now be given a brief respite before being prepared for a title defence in The Everest, Australia's most lucrative sprint, scheduled for October. "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 said.
He added, "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." The Chairman's Sprint Prize was part of a packed card that also featured a spectacular performance by another Hong Kong legend, Romantic Warrior, who timed his final surge perfectly to claim his fourth FWD QEII Cup victory.
Ridden by James McDonald, Romantic Warrior was settled at the rear of the pack before making a decisive move with a furlong and a half remaining. He quickly seized the lead and held on, winning comfortably by a length. In the same race, Masquerade Ball, who had previously edged Calandagan by a head in the Japan Cup, produced a strong finish to secure second place. Andre Fabre's Sosie was a further one and a quarter lengths back in third, while Karl Burke's Royal Champion completed the top four.
The day's card also included the prestigious FWD Champions Mile, where Harry Eustace's Docklands delivered a respectable performance, finishing third amid a field of top‑class sprinters. The race unfolded dramatically in the final furlong when My Wish broke from the pack to launch a challenge, with Docklands closely following. My Wish managed to hold off the fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat, who surged late but was unable to overtake, finishing 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 highlighted the strategic riding that allowed Docklands to conserve energy early and unleash a well‑timed finishing kick. Ka Ying Rising's achievement is particularly noteworthy given the increasingly competitive nature of international sprint racing. Over the past decade, the Hong Kong circuit has attracted top talent from Europe, Japan, and Australia, raising the standard of competition and making each victory a testament to a horse's exceptional ability and training regimen.
Ka Ying Rising's consistent record‑breaking performances have not only delighted local fans but have also drawn attention from global racing enthusiasts, who now view him as a benchmark for speed and durability. Looking ahead, the upcoming Everest in Australia presents a new challenge for the champion.
The Everest, run over 1,200 metres at Randwick, offers a prize pool that dwarfs most other sprint events, and it will test Ka Ying Rising against a field that includes the best sprinters from the Southern Hemisphere. Hayes' decision to give the horse a short break before targeting the race reflects a careful balance between maintaining peak fitness and avoiding over‑racing, a strategy that has proven successful for many elite thoroughbreds.
In addition to his on‑track exploits, Ka Ying Rising has become a marketing icon in Hong Kong, featuring in numerous promotional campaigns and drawing large crowds to the racecourse. His popularity underscores the broader cultural impact of horse racing in the region, where the sport enjoys a passionate following and serves as a major social event. Overall, Ka Ying Rising's twentieth straight win, combined with his record‑breaking times and the admiration of his trainer and jockey, cements his status as one of the all‑time great sprinters.
As he prepares for his next campaign, fans worldwide will be watching closely, eager to see whether he can continue to dominate and perhaps add an international title to his already impressive résumé.