KA YING RISING’s ascent to status as the world’s top-ranked horse – and the highest-rated sprinter in the history of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings – is a colossal achievement and due recognition of an incredible equine athlete.
I have said many times that I have never seen a sprinter of similar calibre with his unworldly ability to sprint explosively off high speeds, and to routinely smash track records with such breathtaking elegance.
It is tremendous to see KA YING RISING create history with a mark of 135 – the highest international rating ever given to a sprinter, surpassing the 132 achieved by the champion Australian BLACK CAVIAR, who was unbeaten in 25 starts with 14 Group 1 wins in Australia and another at Royal Ascot.
With a current winning streak of 21 races, KA YING RISING has broken track records at Sha Tin on six occasions, creating history in each of his most recent runs with track record times.
Freakishly talented, his effort to post 1m 06.11s for 1200m in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap last Sunday (6 September) was the perfect way to start the 2026/27 season.
It is remarkable to think that both his trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton believe there is still scope for improvement as this wonderful champion prepares to contest the G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney next month.
While David and his stable staff, Zac and the Ka Ying Syndicate deserve great credit for their management of this superstar, I am extremely grateful for the efforts of the Club’s veterinary staff, track teams, transport operators and everyone else involved at both Sha Tin and Conghua.
Without these contributions, and others, Hong Kong racing would not be a world racing leader.
KA YING RISING’s stunning progression from an unraced import with a domestic rating of 52 to a Hong Kong record mark of 145 is based on the incredible performances contained in a record of 22 wins and two second placings from 24 starts and HK$160,923,900 in prizemoney and, as we continue Year of the Horse celebrations, KA YING RISING’s continued excellence could not be more perfectly timed.
He is the horse of a lifetime, and it is fantastic that he is regarded so highly on the global stage.
I had the pleasure this week of attending the Asian premiere of CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld, which is a spectacular celebration of the special bond shared by horses and humans and is also a highlight of our Year of the Horse festivities.
The Club is proud to be the spectacular’s Exclusive Presenting Partner and Cultural Host, and I highly recommend attending this amazing event which showcases magnificent horses as they interact with talented riders, dancers and performers in a truly incredible show.
The horse is revered in Chinese art and culture as a symbol of passion, dynamism and resilience – qualities that resonate strongly with Hong Kong’s can-do spirit and prosperity under One Country, Two Systems, and CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld celebrates these qualities.
Showcasing the best of international racing, our World Pool operation today focuses on Makybe Diva Stakes Day from Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
The G1 Makybe Diva Stakes is carded as S1-2 and will be run over 1600m at 2.20pm. This race is a key lead-up for several of Melbourne Spring Carnival features and has attracted nine individual Group 1 winners in the 10-horse field.
SHEZA ALIBI (Luke Nolen) is unbeaten at 1600m and also at Flemington. She will be improved for her first-up second to champion AUTUMN GLOW in the G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and is perfectly drawn in barrier seven. She is my win and place selection.
SIR DELIUS (Craig Williams) is a high-class former French galloper who has already won three Group 1 races in Australia. He has had three trials in preparation for this, and he is the clear danger to SHEZA ALIBI.
MR BRIGHTSIDE (Blake Shinn) is chasing a fourth consecutive win in this race after resuming with a good second to BEIWACHT in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. He is a place chance along with AUTUMN BOY (Mark Zahra) and TREASURETHE MOMENT (Damian Lane).
Leopardstown Racecourse in Ireland takes centre stage on Saturday night for Irish Champion Stakes Day with the first of nine races from 8.35pm.
The G1 Irish Champion Stakes is carded as S2-7 and will be run over 2000m at 12.00am.
ITEM, ALMAQAM and CONSTITUTION RIVER filled the first three placings in the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2051m) at York last month, upstaging OMBUDSMAN, and the trio clashes again here.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race 13 times and is represented this year by CONSTITUTION RIVER (Ryan Moore), LAMBOURN (Declan McDonogh) and HAWK MOUNTAIN (Pierre-Charles Boudot).
CONSTITUTION RIVER’s form had been flawless until his defeat at York, where he became unsettled. He will be suited by the expected strong pace tonight and is a win and place chance.
ITEM (Colin Keane) continues to race in brilliant form for Andrew Balding and is one of the main chances along with ALMAQAM (Kieran Shoemark) and A BOY NAMED SUSIE (Oisin Murphy).
The G1 St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse in England is the oldest of Britain’s five Classics and this year’s race is carded as S3-1 and will be run over 2905m at 10.35pm.
ENCELADUS (Billy Loughnane) is a son of SEA THE STARS and is bidding for a fourth win in a row for Joseph O’Brien. He has thrived since stepping up in distance with victories at Cork, Royal Ascot and Goodwood and he is a win and place chance.
CHRISTMAS DAY (Ronan Whelan) won the Epsom Derby and was runner-up in the Irish equivalent and is also a win and place chance for Aidan O’Brien, who is also represented by PIERRE BONNARD (Wayne Lordan), ACTION (Sean Levey) and AMELIA EARHART (Tom Marquand).
Saffie Osborne will ride HIGHWAYMAN for Joseph O’Brien and would become the first female jockey to win one of the British Classics if successful.
Sources: Hong Kong Jockey Club