Hong Kong's Ka Ying Rising scales the Everest … now for HKIR

After conquering Australia’s biggest sprint, The Everest, Ka Ying Rising’s Hong Kong connections returned home on Sunday to a heroes’ welcome at Sha Tin — and quickly turned their attention to the next challenge, December’s Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint.

A special presentation was held in the Sha Tin parade ring to celebrate the historic Randwick triumph, where trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton addressed the crowd and watched a video tribute of their horse’s victory in the world's richest race on turf. Both men reflected on a result that not only showcased the talent of a remarkable horse, but also sent another clear message about the strength of Hong Kong racing on the global stage.

For Purton, who has spent 18 seasons in Hong Kong and won eight jockeys’ championships, the victory carried personal weight after returning to his homeland to silence doubters with a horse that started a short-priced favorite despite being the subject of speculation and doubt in the lead-up to the race.

“It’s the single biggest win of my career,” he said. “A lot of Australians wanted to knock him, saying he was only beating the horses in Hong Kong, and I wanted to show everyone how good he really is.”

Hayes, who described the occasion as “a magical day,” said it was a showcase of Hong Kong professionalism from start to finish.

“It was brilliant for Hong Kong, and the Club helped every step of the way,” he said. “The staff did a magnificent job under pressure — it was a great team effort and fantastic win.”
 

Ka Ying Rising has now earned nearly HK$104 million in prize money, becoming only the fifth Hong Kong-trained horse to surpass the HK$100 million mark. With 15 wins and two seconds from 17 starts, including 14 straight victories, he is currently the highest-rated sprinter in the world.

In the week leading up to The Everest, rumours around the horse’s condition and ability to live up to the hype added pressure to the campaign, but Hayes said the stable’s professionalism was never in doubt. “The staff did a magnificent job,” he said, emphasizing that the preparation and composure of the team that travelled to Sydney with the horse were key to handling the scrutiny that came with representing Hong Kong on foreign soil. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s decision to purchase a race slot in The Everest has now been rewarded in the strongest possible fashion. The race generated a record HK$99.16 million in Hong Kong betting turnover — the highest ever for an overseas simulcast — also a World Pool record of HK$83,024,693 on a single race, as fans around the globe wagered into one combined pool.

HKJC Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the achievement reflected the professionalism and respect Hong Kong’s participants bring to the sport worldwide.

As attention now turns toward the Hong Kong International Races on December 14, Hayes said Ka Ying Rising – who arrives home to Hong Kong on Tuesday – will be freshened for his homecoming defense of the Sprint title.

“The international races will be very exciting here,” Hayes said. “Hopefully he’s the star.”