THE world’s premier sprinter, Ka Ying Rising demolished quality opposition to post a Hong Kong record 18th successive victory in course record time in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over seven furlongs at Sha Tin last Sunday.

Beating Silent Witness’ longstanding mark of 17 wins, from 2002 and 2005, Ka Ying Rising won in 1m 19.36s to smash the previous course record of 1m 19.92s.

Jockey Zac Purton confirmed trainer David Hayes had told him pre-race “to break the track record” after he had ridden Ka Ying Rising three and half lengths clear of Helios Express with Lucky Sweynesse one and a quarter lengths further back.

Improving his overall record to 19 wins from 21 starts – after two narrow seconds as a three-year-old – Ka Ying Rising jumped quickly to sit second behind Copartner Prance. He put his rivals to the sword over the final four furlongs in a blistering 43.96s, with splits of 11.26s, 11.07s, 10.52s and 11.11s to create history. Unbeaten since February 2024, Ka Ying Rising’s unbeaten streak includes eight Group 1s.

“If we can place him conservatively, we hope to have him for another couple of seasons, that’s really exciting,” Hayes said. “We’ll probably go for the Sprint Cup next (April 6th).Hopefully we can get another clean sweep of the season again with The Everest in the middle.”

Track records

“It’s a huge relief. I didn’t think the team could have had him better for today. I didn’t want Zac sitting up in the last 100m, I said to him ‘let him run through the post and we’ll see how strong he is at 1400m’. He’s just a star.

“I just thought for his worldwide ratings, I wanted Zac to let him go today and hopefully he can keep climbing up that incredible ladder that he’s going up. When you’ve got a horse as good as him, he’s the one everyone will be comparing the next big horse to.”

Purton said: “He’s the horse of a lifetime. I just shake my head every time with the performances he puts up and the ease with which he does.

“He’s just different – he’s in a league of his own. They’re very good horses that he’s racing against, and he just does it like he’s having a barrier trial and let’s hope he can stay in this form for another 12 or 18 months. To be etched in history now forever is part of my legacy, part of David’s and a part of Ka Ying Rising and hopefully he can continue on doing what he’s doing.” Currently the second-highest rated horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising also holds the six-furlong turf course record. The win was part of a five-timer on the day for Purton. All’s Well bolted in in a handicap for Dennis Yip, to keep up Dylan Browne McMonagle’s good run of winners and he added another at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Reporting: Leo Schlink