Ka Ying Rising reaffirmed his reputation as the pre‑eminent sprinter on the global stage by adding a twentieth consecutive win to his record, triumphing in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The local star, who has become a household name among Hong Kong racing fans, once again shattered the course record on the Sha Tin track, finishing a commanding four and a quarter lengths ahead of his nearest challenger. Although his regular jockey, Zac Purton, did not have a full ride on the horse for this outing, the partnership still produced a spectacular performance. The field included several high‑profile contenders: Satono Reve, a multiple Japanese Group One winner and former Royal Ascot runner‑up, held on for second place, while Donnacha O'Brien’s Irish‑trained colt, Comanche Brave, rounded out the placings in fifth out of eight starters.
Trained by veteran Australian trainer David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising completed his second consecutive sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series, having previously captured the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Hayes, who announced that the champion will be given a brief rest before targeting a defence of his title 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." His comments underscore the rarity of a sprinter who can combine raw speed with the durability to maintain a winning streak of this magnitude.
The Chairman’s Sprint Prize win was part of a broader night of high‑profile racing in Hong Kong, which also featured a dominant performance by another local legend, Romantic Warrior. Riding for James McDonald, the five‑year‑old gelding timed his move perfectly, breaking free from the pack with a furlong and a half to go and cruising to a one‑length victory in the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup, his fourth triumph in that race. Romantic Warrior’s success highlighted his versatility, as he has proven capable of delivering a powerful finish over a range of distances. In the same race, Japan‑based Masquerade Ball, who had previously edged Calandagan by a head in the Japan Cup, stayed on strongly to claim second place, while Andre Fabre’s French‑trained Sosie finished a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
Karl Burke’s Royal Champion completed the top four, demonstrating the international depth of the field. The card also featured the FWD Champions Mile, a Group One contest that attracted some of the world’s elite milers.
Harry Eustace’s Docklands, despite being a relative newcomer to the Hong Kong scene, delivered a respectable third‑place finish, confirming his ability to compete at the highest level. The race unfolded dramatically in the final furlong when My Wish surged from the pack to challenge the leaders, ultimately holding off the fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat by a narrow half‑length. Docklands, who had been tracking closely behind My Wish, managed to stay on well and cross the line in third. Docklands’ jockey, Mark Zahra, praised the colt’s composure: "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 remarks illustrate the tactical acumen required to navigate a tightly contested mile race, where timing the final acceleration can be the difference between victory and a place finish. Overall, the evening showcased the depth and quality of Hong Kong racing, with local champions like Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior reinforcing the city’s reputation as a global hub for top‑class sprinters and milers. The performances also set the stage for upcoming international engagements, most notably Ka Ying Rising’s planned campaign in The Everest, where he will test his speed against the world’s elite thoroughbreds on Australian soil. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, in‑depth interviews, and feature stories through Sky Sports Racing’s mobile platforms, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action.
Whether following the sprint circuit or the mile‑distance contests, the combination of local talent and international competition continues to elevate the sport’s profile across Asia and beyond.