The world’s best sprinter has won the Everest.
Ka Ying Rising, the modern day superstar, lived up to expectations to win the $20 million race, with Tempted finishing in second and Jimmysstar finishing third.
Despite a hotly debated trial and debate over his fitness, Ka Ying Rising never looked troubled against some of Australia’s best sprinters.
Ka Ying Rising’s trainer David Hayes told the media post race he would bring his star sprinter back to The Everest next year.
THE WORLD’S FASTEST HORSE WINS THE EVEREST‼️
Hong Kong’s champion Ka Ying Rising has beaten Australia’s best sprinters with a performance for the ages! pic.twitter.com/KokaDHzAKd
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
Hayes said once Ka Ying Rising got clear in the straight that he would be hard to beat.
“It was a long way down that straight but when he got over the rise and he hadn’t used him I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him,” he said.
“I can’t wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight (at) Randwick isn’t it when you hit the front with 300m to go but I think he held on pretty well. Great ride by Zac (Purton) and I actually would’ve been shattered if he lost today. I think there’s more to come with this horse.”
Despite being a hall of fame trainer, Hayes said winning the Everest is his biggest accomplishment.
“It’s certainly the biggest thrill in my life. It’s been the longest ten days in my life I think. He (Better Loosen Up) was the last world champion rated horse I’ve trained and this is the next one. A lot of good horses in between but these are the two stars,” he said.
Jockey Zac Purton said he felt the pressure as other jockeys made their move.
“He had a beautiful run in the race. Ethan (Brown on Jimmysstar) was trying to sneak up on my outside but we just had to make sure we had the room which was pretty easy because of the pace of the race,” he said.
“Overpass skipped for him early and I had to chase him. To my horse’s credit, he wasn’t letting him go. He got the better of me in the trial and we said that he’s not going to get the better of me in the race.”
“We chased him down and coasted to the line.”
“I don’t think we saw him at his best today but even though he wasn’t at his best he’s still good enough.”
Purton said Ka Ying Rising is up with the best he had ridden.
“To have one champion I rode in my career, I thought, that was unbelievable for me and now to have one come along that could be even better, right at this moment it really does hit home,” he said.
“You become a bit emotional. You appreciate it more now because it is nearly over (Zac’s career) but I’m so lucky. I’ve had such a good career and so lucky to have this horse come along now.”
“It is a great way to close it when I do close it.”
