Ka Ying Rising Scores 135, Becomes Highest-Rated Sprinter in History
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising has achieved a historic milestone, earning a career-high international rating of 135 points in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, officially becoming the highest-rated sprinter in racing history. On Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, the David Hayes-trained champion demolished the field by 7¾ lengths in the 1200m Chief Executive's Cup, stopping the clock at a breathtaking 1:06.11 seconds to shatter the Sha Tin turf course record for the fifth time. The remarkable performance, with jockey Zac Purton aboard, also elevated his local rating to an unprecedented 145 points in Hong Kong racing history, eclipsing the previous record of 143 set by Resident in 1996. Now stationed in Sha Tin's quarantine stables, Ka Ying Rising is scheduled to depart for Sydney later this month in pursuit of back-to-back victories in the A$15 million Everest, the world's richest turf race, at Randwick Racecourse on October 17.
Key Points
- Ka Ying Rising received a 135-point international rating, surpassing Black Caviar's previous record of 132 points set in 2011, to become the all-time highest-rated sprinter
- The six-year-old gelding won Sunday's 1200m Class 3 race at Sha Tin in 1:06.11 seconds, winning by 7¾ lengths and setting his fifth course record
- His local rating rose to 145 points, breaking Resident's 1996 record of 143 points and marking the highest rating ever achieved in Hong Kong racing
- The horse has now won 21 consecutive races since February 2024 and claimed nine Group 1 victories throughout his career
- Ka Ying Rising will defend his Everest title at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on October 17, with departure from Hong Kong scheduled for later this month
- In the world rankings, Ka Ying Rising now ties for fourth highest alongside Baaeed, Frankel, and Japan's Equinox, behind only Arrogate (140), Frank (140 in 2012), and Sea the Stars (136)
Why It Matters
This historic achievement cements Hong Kong's position as a global powerhouse in elite sprint racing, with Ka Ying Rising poised to become the first horse from the city to be named World's Best Sprinter and potentially World's Best Racehorse if no other horse reaches 136 points within three months .
This historic achievement cements Hong Kong's position as a global powerhouse in elite sprint racing, with Ka Ying Rising poised to become the first horse from the city to be named World's Best Sprinter and potentially World's Best Racehorse if no other horse reaches 136 points within three months .