SHA TIN, Hong Kong – Ka Ying Rising cemented his place in Hong Kong racing history on Sunday, achieving a record-breaking 18th consecutive victory in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse. The world’s top-rated sprinter, trained by David Hayes, continues to defy expectations, leaving rivals and observers alike marveling at his sustained dominance.
The triumph surpassed the longstanding record of 17 consecutive wins held by Silent Witness from to , a mark that had become a symbol of Hong Kong racing excellence. Ka Ying Rising completed the 1,400-meter sprint in a course-record time of 1 minute 19.36 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 1:19.92 jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod.
“The expectation is for him to win,” Hayes said, reflecting the confidence surrounding his stable star. “You just want him to and not let everyone down. But he hasn’t, and the way he trialed recently, I don’t think he’s going to.”
While Ka Ying Rising’s consistency has been remarkable, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup field included several capable contenders. Lucky Sweynesse, a former leading Hong Kong sprinter returning from an injury-shortened season, and Helios Express were identified as potential threats. Lucky Sweynesse demonstrated promising form in the Stewards’ Cup (G1), finishing second to Romantic Warrior after leading into the stretch. Helios Express finished second to Ka Ying Rising in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
However, Ka Ying Rising proved too powerful, easing clear of the competition under jockey Zac Purton. He finished 3 ½ lengths ahead of Helios Express, with Lucky Sweynesse a further 1 ¼ lengths back. Purton revealed that Hayes instructed him to break the track record before the race, a testament to the horse’s perceived capabilities.
The victory was not merely a statistical achievement; it carried an emotional weight, echoing the circumstances surrounding Roger Maris’s breaking of Babe Ruth’s home run record in . Silent Witness, like Ruth, had been a beloved figure in Hong Kong racing, and his record had stood as a benchmark for nearly two decades.
Both Silent Witness and Ka Ying Rising proved their mettle against high-caliber competition during their respective winning streaks. Silent Witness secured victories in prestigious races such as the Hong Kong Sprint (G1), Centenary Sprint Cup, and Chairman’s Sprint Prize (twice each), as well as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. He also ventured abroad, winning the Sprinters Stakes in Japan in .
Ka Ying Rising is rapidly building a comparable legacy. He is a two-time winner of the Hong Kong Sprint and Centenary Sprint Cup, and has also claimed victories in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. Notably, he extended his dominance beyond Hong Kong, emphatically defeating Australia’s top sprinters in the Everest (G1) in .
With 19 wins from 21 starts, Ka Ying Rising’s record speaks for itself. While his specialty lies in 1,200-meter sprints – 16 of his 17 victories in the streak have come at that distance – his success in the 1,400-meter Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup demonstrates his versatility. The question now is not whether he can continue to win, but how long his extraordinary run can last. Hayes believes the horse’s dominance can continue indefinitely, a sentiment shared by many who have witnessed his remarkable performances.
