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Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising picked up where he left off with a tally in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. The son of Shamexpress equaled Hong Kong legend Silent Witness's mark of 17-straight wins for a Hong Kong-trained horse with his victory in the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series. Sent off at 1-100 for his attempt at history, the bay bounced straight to the head of affairs, before relaxing as Beauty Waves (Starspangledbanner) passed him heading into the turn. Swung two deep, he kicked past that rival in a few strides at the 400-metre mark and won geared down by 1 1/4 lengths. Helios Express (Toronado) gave his best and cut into the margin late on, but he was always chasing in vane. Fast Network (Wrote), third to Ka Ying Rising in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint Stakes in December, was another two lengths back in third. “The winning margin wasn't probably the greatest, but it's probably the most Zac [Purton] has ever eased him down, so, he had a very easy last 200 metres and he dominated as the market suggested he would,” said trainer David Hayes. Just nice to see him do it.” Added Purton, “What can I say? We've said it all with the horse. I just had to make sure my bloke was in a rhythm. I'm surprised he ran the time he ran because it didn't feel like he ran that quickly sort of mid-early in the race. Yeah, he's just different class. “I never thought I would see it [a record-equaling 17th win in a row], to be honest. It's very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far – and let's hope he can keep going on with it. It's pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you're a long way in front, I can tell you. The remaining races of the Hong Kong Sprint Series are the 1400-metre G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on February 22 and Ka Ying Rising's next target, as well as the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize on April 26. Said Purton of his mount's next intended start, “He's got a big race next time, obviously he goes up in distance but he's up for it.” Said Hayes, “Last year, he worked a bit and won it [Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup], and I think he's a stronger, better horse this year. I think he will handle the 1400m beautifully. I'm really excited for the next race. It's another dimension for him. Last year, he nearly broke the course record at 1400m, and I think if the conditions are right, he can go close again.” In his long skein of victories, the G1 Everest hero returned to Sha Tin in November and added the G2 Jockey Club Sprint, before another win in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint on the Longines Hong Kong International Races last month. Pedigree Notes The gelding is one of 16 stakes winners, 11 at group level for Shamexpress, a son of O'Reilly. His other Group 1 winner is Coventina Bay, who has the Herbie Dyke Stakes and New Zealand Stakes to her credit. The first and best foal out of the dual winner Missy Moo (Per Incanto), Ka Ying Rising has a year-younger half-brother Ka Ying Glory (Turn Me Loose) who has placed in Hong Kong. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-25, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.66, gd. 1–KA YING RISING (NZ), 126, g, 5, by Shamexpress (NZ)             1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto             2nd Dam: Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm             3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire) O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing; T-David A Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: HotY-HK, Ch. Sprinter-HK, G1SW-Aus, 20-18-2-0, HK$15,942,817. Werk    Nick Rating: A++. Click for the    eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the    free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Helios Express (Aus), 126, g, 6, Toronado (Ire)–Paris Texas (Aus), by Hinchinbrook (Aus). O-Andy Yung Ming Tai; B-C Wells; T-John Size; J-Hugh Bowman; HK$2,730,000. 3–Fast Network (NZ), 126, g, 6, Wrote (Ire)–Alberta (NZ), by Magic Albert (Aus). (NZ$30,000 Ylg '22 NZBMAR). O-Ng Hung Yau; B-K A Gillovic (NZ); T-Dennis C Y Yip; J-James McDonald; HK$1,495,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 2, NK. Odds: 0.10, 76.00, 64.00. Also Ran: Raging Blizzard (NZ), Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus), Lucky With You (Aus), Beauty Waves (Ire). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.     The post Ka Ying Rising Brings Up 17 Straight With Centenary Sprint Cup Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Have any of the use less stewards been sacked for putting everyone's health and safety at risk? https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16peP31FDB/  

It’s been a big couple of weeks for Francis Lui Kin-wai and the stable’s incredible form continued at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the veteran trainer bagging both Class Twos and unveiling a smart debutant. Lui, who celebrated his 900th Hong Kong win last week and 67th birthday on Thursday, backed up his Sha Tin treble seven days earlier to make it eight winners from the past four meetings. Winning Wing and Invincible Shield struck in the two strongest races on the Group One undercard, while Gold...View the full article

Moments after Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) forged into Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling win in the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, David Hayes predicted the world’s best sprinter could potentially break Sha Tin’s 1400m course record next month. Reacting to Ka Ying Rising’s effort to post a 17th consecutive victory to match the winning streak of Silent Witness from 2002 to 2005, Hayes believes the superstar galloper can threaten Sha Tin’s 1400m record of 1m 19.92s – jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod – when he contests the HK$13 million Gr.1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) on 22 February. “Last year, he worked a bit and won it (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup), and I think he’s a stronger, better horse this year,” Hayes said. “I think he will handle the 1400m beautifully. I’m really excited for the next race. It’s another dimension for him. “Last year, he nearly broke the course record at 1400m, and I think if the conditions are right, he can go close again.” Ridden by Karis Teetan in last year’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in the absence of regular rider Zac Purton, who was injured, Ka Ying Rising clocked 1m 20.33s. Ka Ying Rising today clocked 1m 07.66s – outside his own 1200m Sha Tin turf track record of 1m 07.20s – after being allowed to coast to the line in defeating Helios Express by one-and-a quarter lengths with Fast Network a further two lengths back. Moderately away at the start, Ka Ying Rising quickly mustered speed to lead before Matthew Chadwick drove Beauty Waves to the front. Aware of Luke Ferraris and Lucky With You lurking to his outside, Purton ensured Ka Ying Rising had clear running before unleashing the gelding from the 300m. Exploding clear, and with the race at his mercy with a four-length lead, Purton eased up noticeably over the final 200m, clocking a modest 11.47s. “The winning margin wasn’t probably the greatest, but it’s probably the most Zac has ever eased him down,” Hayes said. “So, he had a very easy last 200 metres and he dominated as the market suggested he would. Just nice to see him do it.” Ka Ying Rising improved his record to 18 wins from 20 starts and is unbeaten since February 2024 with career prizemoney of HK$129.8 million. Celebrating his fourth win in the race after victories with Aerovelocity (2016), Lucky Sweynesse (2023) and Ka Ying Rising last season, Purton said: “What can I say? We’ve said it all with the horse. “I just had to make sure my bloke was in a rhythm. I’m surprised he run the time he run because it didn’t feel like he ran that quick sort of mid-early in the race. Yeah, he just different class. “I never thought I would see it (a record-equalling 17th win in a row), to be honest. It’s very, very rare what Silent Witness did and what Ka Ying has been able to do so far – and let’s hope he can keep going on with it.” “After Silent Witness, I don’t think anyone thought they would ever see it again. Fortunately for us who are involved with the horse, he’s equalled him and can hopefully put his own benchmark. “It’s pretty nice when you look at the big screen and you’re a long way in front, I can tell you. A race is a race. You’ve still got to go out and do it and hopefully he can hold his form, which we will expect he will. “He’s got a big race next time, obviously he goes up in distance but he’s up for it.” Summing up the mood of the six beaten jockeys, Helios Express’ rider Hugh Bowman said: “Another sound, consistent performance. The slower pace didn’t suit, neither does the fast pace when you’re chasing that horse.” The Centenary Sprint Cup was the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, which also includes the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 26 April. A HK$5 million bonus is on offer to the winner of all three legs. View the full article

NZB’s historic 100th National Yearling Sale kicked off with a solid first day of trade with increases across the average and median reflecting a healthy middle market. At the close of selling for the opening session, a total of 207 lots sold for a total aggregate of more than $38 million. The average reached $184,529, a 12% increase on the Book 1 total last year, while the median closed at $140,000, an increase of 27%. Fittingly, Cambridge Stud who have been selling yearlings for more than 70 years at the National Yearling Sale, offered the top lot of the day. The blue-blooded Snitzel colt out of Amarelinha (Lot 265) was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $850,000. “He’s a beautiful colt by a champion sire out of a NZB Filly of the Year in Amarelinha,” commented bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster. “We had a really good client who wanted to buy a good colt today, and hopefully he’s going to buy some good fillies tomorrow as well. “Buying off Cambridge Stud, you can’t go wrong,” he added. Another longstanding vendor, Hallmark Stud, offered the second top lot on Day One when Lot 93, a Super Seth colt out of Rozala, was purchased for $675,000 by KPW Bloodstock. “I thought this was just an outstanding colt, one of the best moving colts on the complex,” commented KPW Bloodstock’s Kevin ‘Milly’ Walls. Lot 93 Photo Ange Bridson NZB’s Director and Head Auctioneer Mike Kneebone commented on the first day of trade at the refreshed Book 1 Sale.  “We’ve taken on a massive challenge of selling across long nine hour days. To take that risk, condensing the catalogue, it’s very rewarding to see the Sale start so well.” “There are so many good horses spread across so many good stud farms. The first 20 horses were remarkable, and that flow continued all day. “To have 19 horses make $400,000 or more on the first day, when last year there was 26 in total, it indicates how well the Sale is travelling and a very healthy middle market. “As we know the second day is when everyone has their eye in. A lot of people came here today to buy a horse and they are still waiting. “There has been great feedback about the refreshed format and having all the Book 2 horses on the ground early. “Great to see both Australia and Hong Kong so active, and the Kiwis really stepping up. The clearance rate will continue to improve overnight, and we look forward to another strong day tomorrow.” Selling continues on Monday for Day Two of Book 1, where lots 291 – 567 will go through the ring from 10am (NZT) at Karaka. The Sale is televised live on SKY Channel 263 and Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand and on Racing.com in Australia, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Day One online here. View the full results here. To enquire about Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham at +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz or Andrew Buick at +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. Karaka 2026: Book 1, Day One Statistics (as at end of selling)   2026 BOOK 1, DAY ONE (NEW FORMAT) 2025 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2024 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2023 BOOK 1 TOTAL AGGREGATE $38,197,500 $75,332,500 $79,585,500 $70,063,000 AVERAGE $184,529 $164,841 $168,257 $151,980 MEDIAN $140,000 $110,000 $120,000 $130,000 CLEARANCE 77% 78% 78% 79% CATALOGUED 290 661 682 644 OFFERED 270 588 607 582 SOLD 207 457 473 461 TOP LOT Lot 265 Snitzel – Ameralinha (B.C) $850,000 Lot 345 Savabeel – Symphonic (Br.F) $2,400,000 Lot 21 Proisir – Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 Lot 586 Fastnet Rock – Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 Karaka 2026: Book 1 Day One Top Lots   Lot Sire Dam  Sex Vendor Purchaser  Price 265 Snitzel Amarelinha Colt Cambridge Stud Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (NSW)  $                  850,000 93 Super Seth Rozala Colt Hallmark Stud KPW Bloodstock (QLD)  $                  675,000 102 Anamoe Save the Date Colt Cambridge Stud Mulberry Racing (NSW)  $                  650,000 94 Proisir Ruqqaya Colt Trelawney Stud Yulong / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds (VIC)  $                  600,000 143 Snitzel Sovereign Love Filly Westbury Stud Mr Andrew Carston (Canterbury)  $                  560,000 259 Savabeel Allemande Colt Cambridge Stud Shijiazhuang Hongtao Horse Breeding (China)  $                  550,000 215 Anamoe Veronica Jane Colt Wentwood Grange Mr Ryan Fownes (Hong Kong)  $                  500,000 124 Street Boss Shuffled Filly Inglewood Stud Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) (NSW)  $                  475,000 147 Home Affairs Special Memories Colt Landsdowne Park David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)  $                  475,000 24 Satono Aladdin On Yer Feet Colt Little Avondale Stud Payne Racing (NSW)  $                  450,000 188 Satono Aladdin The Precious One Colt Milan Park Lindsay Park Racing / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (VIC)  $                  450,000 241 Wootton Bassett Zayydani Colt Trelawney Stud Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing / Darby Racing / Kestrel Thoroughbreds (NSW)  $                  450,000 177 Satono Aladdin Taviarma Colt Curraghmore Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (NSW)  $                  440,000 103 Sword of State Savvy Dreams Filly Milan Park Ben Kwok (Singapore)  $                  425,000 107 The Autumn Sun Seany’s Girl Filly Wentwood Grange Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) (NSW)  $                  425,000 139 Profondo Songbird Filly Carlaw Park Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) (NSW)  $                  425,000 59 Proisir Pure Faith Filly Curraghmore B2B Thoroughbreds (NSW)  $                  400,000 105 Satono Aladdin Sayyzel Colt Riversley Park Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds / Kestrel Thoroughbreds (NSW)  $                  400,000 270 In the Congo Anaween Filly Little Avondale Stud David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)  $                  400,000 View the full article

A late, great sire and a deceased Group One-winning dam combined with an $850,000 colt that topped the opening day of the Book 1 session of Karaka 2026 on Sunday. The colt was offered by Cambridge Stud and went through the ring as Lot 265 in the final hour of the day. He is by the four-time champion Australian sire Snitzel, who died in June, and was the second and final foal produced by Savabeel mare Amarelinha before her untimely death in a paddock accident. Herself a $300,000 purchase by David Ellis from the Karaka sale ring in 2019, Amarelinha won five races and more than $627,000 in stakes. Her victories included the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m), and she was the NZB Filly of the Year in 2020-21. She was later purchased by Cambridge Stud for $1.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus. Bidding on the Snitzel colt developed into a two-way battle between determined buyers who exchanged rapid-fire $25,000 bids from the $400,000 mark onwards. In the end, the colt was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock. “He’s a beautiful colt by a champion sire, Snitzel, out of a Filly of the Year in Amarelinha,” Guy Mulcaster commented. “We had a really good client who wanted to buy a good colt today, and hopefully he’s going to buy some good fillies tomorrow as well – fingers crossed. “This was a horse that we saw early, and he just stayed in my mind. We were lucky enough to take our client to see him today, and the colt behaved really well. “Buying off Cambridge Stud, you can’t go wrong.” The headlining colt headed a highly successful first day of the sale for Cambridge Stud, who sold 29 horses on Sunday for a total of $6.4 million and an average price of $220,862. They also fetched $650,000 for a colt by first-season sire Anamoe out of the stakes-placed Savabeel mare Save The Date, who was bought by Mulberry Racing. A colt by Savabeel out of the Sea The Moon mare Allemande was sold to Shijiazhuang Hongtao Horse Breeding for $550,000. The $850,000 Snitzel colt was the fifth purchase of the day for the Waller/Mulcaster team, who spent a total of $1.71 million. They previously went to $440,000 to buy Lot 177, a colt by Satono Aladdin out of Group Two performer Taviarma, then paid $200,000 for a full-brother to the Chris Waller-trained Group One winner Kovalica. That Ocean Park colt went through the ring as Lot 222. “We’ve picked and chosen what we’ve been buying today, and we’ve done pretty well,” Mulcaster said. “We’ve got quite a long list, so we’ll see how we go tomorrow.” Te Akau’s David Ellis finished the opening day in his usual position of leading buyer, with 11 purchases for a total of $3.15 million and an average price of $286,363. His highest-priced yearling of the day was Lot 147, a colt by Home Affairs out of the stakes-performed Fastnet Rock mare Special Memories, which he secured for $475,000. View the full article

Leading Victorian trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr look set to pay the late entry fee for the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes with Knobelas (NZ) (Belardo) after her luckless third in the Aotearoa Classic. Speaking to Racing.com, Price said the $750,000 Te Rapa feature over 2000 metres was firmly on the radar, with the late entry costing $17,000. “It’s a $750,000 Group One. I have a very strong feel that mare has a strong 2000m in her. It was a very good run (on Saturday),” Price said. “So, we will chase that and see how we go. “I think we should continue on. She should be thereabouts (in the Herbie Dyke). “I’ve got a very good girl here. I know every inch of the training centre that we are at. Lance Noble has been great with his assistance; he has helped me not make a mistake. “She’s a lovely mare, she was born in New Zealand, she has come to Australia, and she is back in New Zealand.” Price added that Craig Williams told connections Knobelas should have won had he shifted wider in the straight, rather than trying to pick paths through traffic. The OTI-trained mare flashed home late for third. “She’s honest. She runs well every start. She is due for a little change of luck,” Price said. A Sydney autumn campaign also remains in play. “If she trained on, she will be Sydney autumn. She’s a four-year-old mare. “My farrier has done a good job with her feet. She has been beautifully sound and free.” View the full article

Danny Shum Chap-shing hailed his “small but strong team” as Romantic Warrior began his path towards the Triple Crown with a scintillating performance to win the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Dropping back to the mile for the first time since winning the 2024 Yasuda Kinen was no problem for the globetrotting sensation, who made a mockery of his rivals after a tactical masterclass by jockey James McDonald. Breaking from stall seven, Romantic Warrior was held out four wide...View the full article

Zac Purton and many others thought Silent Witness’ record would never be matched but at Sha Tin on Sunday, superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising did just that with a 17th straight victory after dominating the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m). Extending his phenomenal streak to match the great Silent Witness’ feat from 21 years ago, Ka Ying Rising was eased down by Purton when blitzing his rivals by a length and a quarter. “What can I say. We’ve said it all with the horse,” the champion jockey...View the full article