There are not many superlatives left for Ka Ying Rising. Truth be told, most no longer feel adequate.
The Everest champion returned to home soil at Sha Tin on Sunday for the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, making his first public appearance since conquering the world’s richest sprint. If there were any doubts about how he’d come back, they quickly evaporated.
Such is his aura now that David Hayes’ freakish sprinter jumped a ridiculous $1.05 on the tote. In hindsight, that price probably underestimated him. Anyone brave enough to take the shorts never lost a heartbeat.
From barrier ten, Zac Purton made his intentions known early, asking Ka Ying Rising to roll forward through the first furlong before easing him into a stalking position behind Beauty Waves. From there, the race was over – everyone just had to wait for the moment the champ felt like winning.
And when he did, it was another reminder that he is playing a different sport. The way he glided up to the leader on the turn defied logic, and the way he went past him bordered on unfair. Purton barely lifted a finger as Ka Ying Rising opened up, lengthening effortlessly while the others flailed in his wake.
He was throttled down from the 150m. The official margin: 2.75 lengths. The real margin – the one he could have put on them – was whatever number your imagination can handle. Ten? More?
Ka Ying Rising didn’t just win. He reminded everyone that Hong Kong doesn’t just have the world’s best sprinter, and truthfully probably the world’s best horse. It has a freak.
Unmatched. Unrivalled. Unequalled. 🚀
David Hayes’ freak sprinter Ka Ying Rising makes it 15 straight wins with an absolute BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint demolition under @zpurton at Sha Tin… 😤#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/CmOhQ1XwP2
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 23, 2025
Speaking post-race, Purton suggested Ka Ying rising is in career-best order following his trip to Australia.
“I’ve never seen him look so good.”
Purton gave an ominous warning to future rivals that the 5yo may not yet have reached his ceiling, suggesting the leader Beauty Waves was going ‘too slow’.
“Mid-race, Beauty Waves was maybe half-a-step too slow for me. I know they’ve run nearly track-record time, he was on his tippy toes wanting to go half-a-stride quicker.
“That’s the beauty with this horse: the faster they go, the better he is.”
