Ka Ying Rising has once again confirmed his place at the very top of the global sprinting hierarchy, adding a twentieth consecutive win to his record with a dominant performance in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The local star, who is not always paired with his usual rider Zac Purton, nevertheless produced a spectacular display, shattering the Sha Tin track record and finishing four and a quarter lengths ahead of his nearest challenger. The field was a strong one, featuring multiple Japanese Group One winner and Royal Ascot runner‑up Satono Reve, who managed to hold on for second place, while Donnacha O'Brien’s Irish‑trained Comanche Brave rounded out the placings in fifth out of eight starters.
Trained by the veteran David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising was completing the Hong Kong Speed Series for the second straight year, having previously triumphed in both the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Hayes, who announced that the champion will now be given a brief rest before being aimed at a title defence in The Everest in Australia this October, reflected on the horse's extraordinary consistency: "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." The trainer's admiration underscores the rarity of a sprinter who can combine raw speed with the ability to repeat that performance over a long series of high‑profile contests.
The Chairman's Sprint Prize win was part of a broader night of top‑class racing in Hong Kong, which also saw another local legend, Romantic Warrior, time his run perfectly to capture his fourth FWD QEII Cup. Ridden by James McDonald, Romantic Warrior was trapped in the early pack before finding a clear run with a furlong and a half left to go.
He surged ahead, easing to the line a length clear of his rivals. In that same race, Japan Cup‑winner Masquerade Ball, who had only edged out Calandagan by a head in his previous outing, held on strongly to finish second. Andre Fabre’s French‑trained Sosie was another length and a quarter behind, while Karl Burke’s Royal Champion completed the top four.
The evening’s programme also featured the prestigious FWD Champions Mile, where Harry Eustace’s Docklands delivered a respectable third‑place finish amid a field of elite milers. Docklands, under jockey Mark Zahra, stayed on well in the final stages, prompting Zahra to comment, "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." Another highlight of the card was the showdown between My Wish and the fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat.
My Wish emerged from the pack a furlong out, launching a decisive challenge that saw Cap Ferrat rally strongly in the closing stages. In the end, My Wish held on by half a length, with Docklands close behind, illustrating the depth of talent present in Hong Kong’s sprint and mile divisions. Ka Ying Rising’s achievement is particularly notable when placed in a historical context. Few sprinters have managed a winning streak of this magnitude at the elite level, especially on a circuit as competitive as Hong Kong’s, where the blend of local talent and international imports creates a constantly shifting hierarchy.
The horse’s ability to break the track record while still delivering a comfortable margin of victory speaks to a rare combination of speed, stamina, and temperament. Looking ahead, Hayes’s plan to give Ka Ying Rising a brief spell before targeting The Everest suggests a strategic approach to preserving the horse’s peak condition for the world’s richest sprint. The Everest, held at Randwick in October, attracts the globe’s top sprinters and offers a prize pool that dwarfs most other races. If Ka Ying Rising can translate his Hong Kong dominance to Australian soil, he could cement his legacy as a truly global sprint champion.
Fans and bettors alike are urged to stay tuned for further updates, as the horse’s connections will likely release more details on his training regime and race schedule in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Sky Sports Racing continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest racing news, in‑depth interviews, and feature stories, ensuring that enthusiasts never miss a moment of the action.
In summary, Ka Ying Rising’s twentieth consecutive win not only extends his personal winning streak but also reinforces Hong Kong’s reputation as a hub for world‑class sprinting talent. With a track record broken, a dominant margin of victory, and the admiration of a seasoned trainer like David Hayes, the champion is poised to take on new challenges on the international stage, promising more thrilling performances for racing fans around the globe.