Ka Ying Rising: 19 Straight Wins, World’s Top Sprinter

Ka Ying Rising has done exactly that, not once or twice, but eighteen times in succession, then nineteen. By the time he crossed the line in the 2026 Sprint Cup, the question wasn’t whether he could win, but how far he could push the boundaries of what Hong Kong racing had ever seen.

Owner: Ka Ying Syndicate · Trainer: David Hayes · Foaled: 3 September 2020 · Sire: Shamexpress (NZ) · Dam: Missy Moo (NZ)

Who owns racehorse Ka Ying Rising?

Ka Ying Syndicate details

Ka Ying Rising is owned by the Ka Ying Syndicate, a ownership group that has enjoyed remarkable success with this exceptional sprinter. The syndicate structure is common in Hong Kong racing, allowing multiple investors to share in the ownership of high-caliber horses while ing the considerable costs of training and competition.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s official records confirm Ka Ying Syndicate as the registered owner, with David Hayes serving as the trainer from the operation’s base at Sha Tin Racecourse (official HKJC horse profile). Hayes, a veteran of Australian and Hong Kong racing, has developed Ka Ying Rising into what observers describe as a once-in-a-generation athlete.

What is Ka Ying Rising?

Thoroughbred profile

Ka Ying Rising is a champion Thoroughbred racehorse foaled on September 3, 2020, in New Zealand. Originally named Mr Express, he was later renamed to reflect his rising prominence in the racing world. The bay gelding is sired by Shamexpress (NZ), a proven producer of fast horses, out of the dam Missy Moo (NZ).

By February 2026, Ka Ying Rising had become a 5-year-old gelding competing at the highest levels of international sprint racing. His record of 19 wins from 21 starts—including two narrow seconds as a three-year-old—speaks to both his natural talent and the meticulous training regimen under David Hayes’s supervision.

Foaled 3 September 2020

Born in the southern hemisphere spring of 2020, Ka Ying Rising carries the bloodline of New Zealand breeding excellence. Shamexpress, his sire, was himself a Group 1 winner known for raw speed—a trait clearly passed to his progeny. The mating with Missy Moo produced a horse with the acceleration and stamina combination that has defined Ka Ying Rising’s career.

Is Ka Ying Rising a male or female?

Gender and pedigree

Ka Ying Rising is a male gelding. In Thoroughbred racing, geldings—castrated males—often demonstrate greater consistency than intact horses, as the removal of testosterone eliminates the behavioral unpredictability that can affect race-day performance. This explains, in part, Ka Ying Rising’s remarkable composure under pressure.

As a gelding, Ka Ying Rising cannot be used for breeding, which means his value is entirely tied to his racing performance. For his owners, this makes each race result even more consequential—there are no future breeding rights to cushion a poor season.

How much money has Ka Ying Rising made?

Prize money statistics

Ka Ying Rising has earned substantial prize money throughout his career, though comprehensive lifetime earnings figures remain difficult to establish precisely. What is documented is the HK$13,000,000 purse for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup alone—a Group 1 event that Ka Ying Rising captured in February 2026.

Beyond Hong Kong races, Ka Ying Rising’s international victories—including The Everest in Australia (2025), worth Aus$7 million—have significantly boosted his total earnings. Racing analysts estimate his career earnings exceed HK$100 million when factoring in all Group 1 wins and international appearance fees, though official confirmation of the precise total has not been released.

Historic Centenary romp at Sha Tin

The February 2026 Centenary Sprint Cup marked a pivotal moment: Ka Ying Rising equalled Silent Witness’s legendary 17-win streak, then surpassed it entirely. The atmosphere at Sha Tin that day was electric, with the crowd aware they were witnessing history in real time. Racing analyst John Ingles noted that “Ka Ying Rising has long since stopped being a betting proposition for Hong Kong punters”—such is his dominance that bookmakers struggle to price him fairly.

Is Ka Ying Rising the best horse in the world?

By any reasonable measure, Ka Ying Rising is currently the world’s top sprinter. The LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings confirmed his status, placing him at number one among all Thoroughbreds globally for the 2025 season. In the first 2026 rankings, he retained his position at the summit of the list.

2026 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

The 2026 rankings placed Ka Ying Rising atop the international standings, a testament to his consistent excellence across multiple seasons. His combination of speed (demonstrated by repeated track records), stamina (proven in 1400m victories), and mental fortitude has separated him from all contemporaries.

World’s best sprinter 2025 LONGINES

The LONGINES World’s Best Sprinter award for 2025 went to Ka Ying Rising, recognizing his dominance in the elite sprinting category. This accolade, determined by an international panel of racing officials, cements his place among the sport’s all-time greats. Longines, as the sport’s official timekeeper and a marker of precision, further validated Ka Ying Rising’s excellence by associating the brand with his achievements.

18 wins in a row

On February 22, 2026, Ka Ying Rising achieved his 18th consecutive victory in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin, breaking Silent Witness’s long-standing Hong Kong record of 17 straight wins. He crossed the line 3½ lengths ahead of Helios Express, covering the final 800 meters in a blistering 43.96 seconds. The time of 1:19.36 shattered the previous 1400m Sha Tin record of 1:19.92, held since 2009 by Encouraging and Packing Hermod.

Ka Ying Rising’s career timeline

Thirteen wins paint a picture, but the full context requires tracing how Ka Ying Rising built his legend from first Group victory to global dominance.

The compression of these milestones into less than two years underscores how far ahead of his generation he has pulled.

What has been confirmed versus rumored

Separating verified achievements from speculation helps clarify what Ka Ying Rising’s record truly represents.

Expert perspectives on Ka Ying Rising

“The weight of history laid heavy on the strapping shoulders of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising.”

— Thoroughbred Daily News, Racing Journalist

“YOU ARE INCREDIBLE Magic at Sha Tin as Ka Ying Rising reaches 18 wins in succession – the most for a Hong Kong-trained horse in history.”

— Hong Kong Jockey Club official social media

David Hayes, speaking after the Sprint Cup victory, emphasized that Ka Ying Rising had pushed his own limits yet again. “He’s not just winning—he’s rewriting what we thought was possible at Sha Tin,” Hayes noted. Meanwhile, international competitors have taken notice: Aidan O’Brien, one of Europe’s most successful trainers, reportedly expressed interest in pitting his horses against Ka Ying Rising should opportunities arise.

For Hong Kong racing, Ka Ying Rising represents both an incredible marketing asset and a challenge to traditional handicapping models. The horse has become so dominant that some observers question whether the competitive balance that makes racing exciting is being undermined. Yet for the Ka Ying Syndicate and racing historians, the opportunity to witness potential greatness unfold makes every Sha Tin appearance worth the price of admission.

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