Everest Conqueror Ka Ying Rising Eyes Black Caviar's Mark
Hayes' Randwick Champion Shatters Records, Eyeing Further Glory
David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising can match Australian legend Black Caviar's achievements after the gelding became the first overseas winner of the A$20 million (US$13 million) TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18. The trainer's assessment that the victory represented only the horse's 'fifth or sixth best performance' has sent shockwaves through racing circles, suggesting the world's highest-rated sprinter may still have untapped potential.
The 5YO's one and one-quarter lengths defeat of Tempted delivered a A$7 million (US$4.5 million) first prize. "What I love about him is he's bigger than he's ever been. So, he's getting stronger, developing, and improving," Hayes revealed in an exclusive interview. "I think next season he'll be better because we and the horse and the staff learned so much about traveling this horse."
With career earnings now exceeding A$19.5 million (US$13 million) from 15 wins in 17 starts, Ka Ying Rising will return to Hong Kong for December's International Races before defending his crown in the Group One spectacle in 2026.
From Bargain-Basement Mare To Global Sensation
Ka Ying Rising's journey to the summit of world sprinting begins with a NZ$245 (US$160) purchase. Missy Moo, bought by trainer Fraser Auret at a 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock mixed sale, won five races despite suffering from arthritic joints throughout a 28-start career. Auret retired the mare to stud and sent her to Windsor Park Stud's Shamexpress, a Group One winner of the VRC Newmarket Handicap.
The mating produced Ka Ying Rising, who became Auret's first-ever foal and the best of just two progeny Missy Moo delivered before being eithanized. His year-younger half-brother Ka Ying Glory managed one second from three starts, making the older sibling's achievements all the more remarkable.
Shamexpress has faced fertility challenges at stud, restricting him to small crops. However, Windsor Park Stud's faith has been vindicated spectacularly, prompting a fee increase to NZ$9,800 (US$6,500) plus GST for 2025.
Auret bypassed public auction, selling the yearling privately after a trial to clients of Hayes. Exported to Australia on March 28, 2023, the gelding impressed Hayes's sons Ben, Will, and JD at Lindsay Park before being sent to Hong Kong. Now racing for the Ka Ying Syndicate, represented by Leung Shek Kong, he has transformed a modest investment into racing's ultimate success story.
Unbeaten Streak Builds World-Class Reputation
Debuting as a 3YO in December 2023, Ka Ying Rising has compiled 14 consecutive victories, a sequence bettered in Hong Kong only by Silent Witness at 17 and Golden Sixty at 16. His international rating of 126 places him as the world's top-rated sprinter and joint-fourth overall in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings alongside Hong Kong stablemate Romantic Warrior.
The gelding captured five Group One prizes across the 2024-25 season, including the Hong Kong Sprint, Centenary Sprint Cup, Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1,400 meters, Chairman's Sprint Prize, and now the Gr.1 The TAB Everest. Completing a clean sweep of Hong Kong's Speed Series earned him a A$975,000 (US$650,000) bonus whilst matching the territory's single-season record of eight straight wins.
His Group Two victory in the Jockey Club Sprint saw him shatter Sacred Kingdom's Sha Tin 1,200-meter record of 1:07.43, a mark standing since 2007, before bettering his own time with 1:07.2 in the Centenary Sprint Cup. These performances earned Horse of the Year honors alongside Champion Sprinter and Champion Four-Year-Old titles.
Eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton has partnered Ka Ying Rising for all but two starts. "From the time the gates opened, Zac had him in the perfect spot, and Zac felt that he had the race in his command a long way from home," Hayes said of the Group One spectacle.
Randwick Redemption After Trial Controversy
A barrier trial 10 days before the A$20 million spectacle sparked fierce debate when Ka Ying Rising finished third behind Linebacker and Overpass. Critics questioned his readiness for Australian conditions. Hayes maintained confidence throughout. "When they hadn't used him over the straight, I thought they would have to be good to pass him," he said. "He had to run below form not to win today. I didn't say that. I couldn't be cocky, but I would have been disappointed if he didn't win. He saddled up calmly."
On race day, Purton settled him third behind early leaders Mazu and Overpass before unleashing his finishing kick at the 200-meter mark. Ka Ying Rising surged clear, easing down in the final 50 meters to defeat Tempted with Jimmysstar third.
"A big relief," Hayes admitted. "Expectations were so high; I didn't want him to let everyone down. The champion he is, he didn't let anyone down. He was spectacular. I had a few moments of worry coming around the bend, come on, boy. But really, from the time the gates opened, Zac had him in the perfect spot."
Tempted, trained by Ciaron Maher, had finished third in the Gr.1 Golden Rose Stakes three weeks earlier. Jimmysstar overcame barrier 11 to claim third, with Brown reflecting that a kinder gate would have helped. Bjorn Baker's Overpass ran an honest fourth after leading into the straight.
Room For Improvement Despite World Domination
Hayes's post-race assessment shocked observers. "I felt it was probably about his fifth or sixth best performance. He's done better in Hong Kong on about five of his wins. We ranked his performance about his fifth or sixth best," the trainer explained.
More significantly, Hayes believes physical development continues. "What I love about him is he's bigger than he's ever been. So, he's getting stronger, developing, and improving," he said. This projection of continued improvement at 5YO, when many sprinters plateau, distinguishes Ka Ying Rising from contemporaries.
"I think next season he'll be better because we, the horse, and the staff learned so much about traveling this horse. There are a couple of things we'll do that will make him a little bit better next year," Hayes revealed. "So, we're really excited about what the next 12 months can bring for him. We took a chance, and it paid off."
When asked if Ka Ying Rising exceeded expectations, Hayes remained measured. "He's such an honest champion. He had plenty left in the tank. He didn't have to go to his maximum to win, which was a great sign. I think he handled it very well."
International Races And Everest Title Defence
Hayes has mapped out Ka Ying Rising's immediate future with clarity. "He's coming back to Hong Kong tomorrow, and he'll compete in the Hong Kong International Races, where he started his journey of international Group One wins," the trainer confirmed. "Hong Kong is really keen to have him back for the big international race."
The December meeting at Sha Tin represents the gelding's first assignment, where he will defend his Hong Kong Sprint crown. "He'll probably stay and go for the sprint series in Hong Kong, and then we would look at going back to The Everest next year," Hayes said. "So, we've put him on a reasonably limited program and will target the international races, the two international races in Hong Kong and, of course, The Everest again. We'll go back and defend the title."
The strategy reflects Hayes's determination not to overrace his champion. "The timing for him is perfect. He's got his triple crown with bonuses if he wins it. I don't want to jeopardize the Hong Kong program. It's such a good sprinting program for his career."
Twelve Months To Match Racing Immortality
Hayes hasn't shirked comparisons with Black Caviar, the mare whose 25-race winning streak captured Australia between 2009 and 2013. When asked directly if Ka Ying Rising had proved his point, Hayes responded thoughtfully. "Well, I think he can be compared to her at this stage. Of course, she kept going for another year. He just has to hold his form for 12 more months."
The benchmark is clear. "If he does it for another 12 months, he can compare it with the great Black Caviar," Hayes stated.
The trainer's confidence stems from observing the gelding's continued physical development and honest temperament. "He's such an honest champion. He had plenty left in the tank," Hayes emphasised.
Hayes noted the cross-border appeal Ka Ying Rising has generated. "It's amazing how the Hong Kong people and the Australian people have really embraced him as fans," he said.
The trainer's closing assessment captured both relief and anticipation. "We're really excited about what the next 12 months can bring for him. We took a chance, and it paid off." Whether Ka Ying Rising can sustain his level through another season and truly match Black Caviar's legacy remains the compelling question that will define the next 12 months of his career.