Ka Ying Rising has once again confirmed his place at the summit of global sprinting by pushing his unbeaten run to an impressive twenty wins with a decisive triumph in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The local superstar, riding under the guidance of veteran trainer David Hayes, not only secured the victory but also shattered the Sha Tin track record, finishing a remarkable four and a quarter lengths ahead of his nearest challenger.
While his regular jockey Zac Purton was not on board for this particular outing, the horse’s performance spoke for itself. The field featured a strong contingent of international talent, including Japan’s multiple Group One winner and Royal Ascot runner‑up Satono Reve, who managed to hold on for second place, and Donnacha O'Brien’s Irish‑bred Comanche Brave, who finished fifth out of eight runners.
Ka Ying Rising’s win capped a flawless sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series for the second consecutive year. He had already captured the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup earlier in the season, cementing his dominance across the three premier sprint contests.
Hayes, who has overseen the horse’s meteoric rise, announced that the champion will now be given a brief respite before being aimed at the prestigious Everest in Australia in 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 in a post‑race interview. The trainer reflected on his long‑standing relationship with the gelding, noting, "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." Such high praise underscores the extraordinary consistency and versatility Ka Ying Rising has displayed on both domestic and international stages. Beyond the headline‑making sprint, the card featured other notable performances that highlighted the depth of Hong Kong racing talent. Romantic Warrior, another local star, timed his run perfectly to claim a fourth victory in the FWD QEII Cup. Guided by jockey James McDonald, the horse settled in the pack before making a decisive move with a furlong and a half to go, eventually winning comfortably by a length.
In the same race, Japan Cup victor Masquerade Ball, who had previously edged out Calandagan by a head, held on strongly to finish second, while Andre Fabre’s French‑trained Sosie was a further one and a quarter lengths back in third. Karl Burke’s Royal Champion rounded out the top four.
The FWD Champions Mile, the third Group One of the day, saw Harry Eustace’s Docklands deliver a respectable third‑place finish, staying on well in a tightly contested finish. The race unfolded dramatically as My Wish emerged from the mid‑pack to set the pace with a furlong remaining, prompting Docklands to follow closely behind.
In the final strides, My Wish managed to edge out the fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat, who surged late to hold Docklands off by half a length. Docklands’ jockey Mark Zahra praised the effort, saying, "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." This comment highlighted the importance of tactical positioning and timing in sprint races, where a well‑timed move can be the difference between victory and a close second. Ka Ying Rising’s continued success has broader implications for the sport.
His ability to consistently break records and dominate elite fields elevates the profile of Hong Kong racing on the world stage, attracting greater international interest and investment. Moreover, his upcoming campaign in the Everest—one of the richest sprint races globally—will provide a further platform to showcase the quality of Hong Kong‑trained sprinters against the best from Australia, Europe, and the United States.
Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, in‑depth interviews, and feature stories by following Sky Sports Racing on mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. As the season progresses, the anticipation builds around whether Ka Ying Rising can maintain his unbeaten streak and add another chapter to his already legendary career.