Trainer David Hayes takes his chance at history on Sunday afternoon (22 February) at Sha Tin when Ka Ying Rising attempts to win an 18th consecutive race – the most by a Hong Kong-trained horse – in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), which is carded as Race 8 and will be run at 4.35pm.
Locked on 17 straight victories with Silent Witness, Ka Ying Rising is aiming to break the deadlock against nine rivals, and continue his unbeaten streak which began in February, 2024 that has since encompassed seven Group 1 wins and crowns as Hong Kong Champion Griffin (2023/24), Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2024/25), Hong Kong Champion Four-Year-Old (2024/25) and Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25).
Hayes said: “I’m very excited about the opportunity to try and break Silent Witness’ record. His gallop was good – it was just his usual Ka Ying Rising gallop, and he’s very much in his routine, and it seems to suit him.”
The 138-rater and earner of HK$129.85 million boasts 18 career wins from 20 starts, tasting defeat only twice during his first season of competition. The five-year-old son of Shamexpress will make his sixth appearance this term, contesting a race he won last year by a length and a half as he tries to make Hong Kong racing history.
“He’s only run at 1400 metres once and that was in this race last year. I know he’ll run it and I know he’s better this year than he was last year. If they go too fast in the race he’ll sit second or third and if they go too slow, he’ll lead,” Hayes said.
“Zac (Purton) is very uncomplicated on him. I’m excited and I’m really looking forward to it – I’ll be a bit nervous on the day as I always am, but it’s a very surreal feeling in a Group 1 saddling a horse who is a one-dollar favourite. Not many trainers get to do that, and I can tell you it’s not as easy as it looks.”
Ka Ying Rising – who breaks from barrier three on Sunday – galloped on Sha Tin’s dirt course on Monday (16 February) in 24.2s under his work rider and today (Friday, 20 February) in 28.0s after a barrier trial on Tuesday (10 February) with superstar rider Purton in the plate, clocking an easy 1m 08.03s (24.0, 22.0, 22.0) for the 1200m hit-out.
Hayes said: “We’re in a very strict routine. It’s the same people working with him and we can’t be happier – he’s fantastic. He’s bigger, stronger and better than last year. My team has done an incredible job with him.”
Among Ka Ying Rising’s streak is success in the 2025 G1 The Everest (1200m), worth AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million), at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia – a race he is targeting again later this year.
All runners are assigned 126lb this Sunday. Lucky Sweynesse, Helios Express, Red Lion, Galaxy Patch, Sunlight Power, Copartner Prance, Patch Of Theta, Raging Blizzard and Packing Hermod also feature in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
“Helios Express is better suited at this distance against Ka Ying Rising. It’s a good distance for him; Lucky Sweynesse is back in form, but if it was a handicap, Ka Ying Rising would be giving some of them 20 pounds – he will be short in the market and, well, he probably should be,” Hayes said.
Sunday’s (22 February) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin commences with the Class 4 Daffodil Handicap (1000m) at 1pm.