Ka Ying Rising has once again confirmed his place at the pinnacle of global sprinting by adding a twentieth consecutive win to his record, triumphing in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The local star, under the guidance of veteran trainer David Hayes, delivered a performance that not only widened his winning margin but also saw him shatter the existing track record on the Hong Kong circuit. He crossed the finish line a full four and a quarter lengths ahead of his nearest challenger, underscoring his dominance over a field that struggled to keep pace. While his regular jockey Zac Purton was not aboard for this particular ride, the partnership between horse and rider remains one of the most celebrated collaborations in recent racing history.
In this race, the second‑place finisher was the accomplished Japanese Group One winner and Royal Ascot runner‑up Satono Reve, who proved the strongest of the opposition but still finished well behind Ka Ying Rising. The third‑place slot went to Irish‑trained Comanche Brave, a horse owned by Donnacha O'Brien, who managed to hold on for a respectable fifth‑place finish among the eight starters. This victory marks the culmination of the Hong Kong Speed Series for Ka Ying Rising, a series he has now conquered for the second consecutive year.
In the previous season, he had already secured wins in both the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, establishing a pattern of consistency and excellence that few sprinters can match. Hayes, who has overseen the horse's development from a promising youngster into a world‑class sprinter, announced that the champion will now be given a brief respite before the team turns its attention to the upcoming Everest in Australia, 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, reflecting on the horse's extraordinary achievements. Hayes continued, expressing his personal admiration: "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 remarks highlight the deep respect that industry insiders have for Ka Ying Rising, whose speed, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure have placed him among the elite sprinters of the modern era.
The race day also featured other notable performances. Romantic Warrior, another Hong Kong legend, timed his final surge perfectly to claim his fourth victory in the FWD QEII Cup.
Guided by jockey James McDonald, the veteran gelding settled in the pack before making a decisive move with a furlong and a half to go, eventually pulling away to win by a comfortable margin of one length. Behind him, Masquerade Ball, who had previously edged out Calandagan by a head in the Japan Cup, held on strongly to secure second place. Andre Fabre's Sosie finished three‑quarters of a length further back in third, while Karl Burke's Royal Champion rounded out the top four. In the FWD Champions Mile, one of the three Group One races on the card, Harry Eustace's Docklands delivered a solid performance, finishing third after a steady run.
The race unfolded dramatically in the final furlong when My Wish emerged from the pack to launch a challenge, with Docklands following closely behind. My Wish managed to hold off a fast‑finishing Cap Ferrat, edging the latter out by half a length at the wire. Docklands' jockey Mark Zahra praised his mount, 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." These results, combined with Ka Ying Rising's record‑breaking run, illustrate the depth and excitement of Hong Kong's racing scene.
Fans can stay up to date with the latest news, interviews, and feature stories by following Sky Sports Racing on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. As the season progresses, anticipation builds for Ka Ying Rising's next campaign in Australia, where he will aim to defend his Everest title and further cement his legacy as one of the greatest sprinters the sport has ever seen.