‘There’s More to Come with this Horse’: Ka Ying Rising Scales the Everest

[Wandering Eyes]

by Tom Baddock

Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delivered on the weight of expectation at Randwick on Saturday, producing a high-pressure, high-class performance to claim the AU$20 million G1 TAB Everest and in doing so, confirmed his status as the world's best sprinter.

Ridden by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising jumped cleanly from barrier seven and settled in his trademark on-speed position. As Overpass (Aus) (Vancouver) cut out a brutal early tempo, Purton kept his mount poised just behind the leaders as Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) made a surprise move to slide up on his outside. At the top of the straight, Purton remained relaxed before pushing the button on Ka Ying Rising, who surged into clear air and struck the front at the furlong, racing clear for an effortless victory against Australia's best equine athletes.

Top Godolphin filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) ran on strongly along the inside to finish 1.15 lengths back in second, narrowly ahead of her stablemate Jimmysstar who raced for TAB and finished 1.42 lengths back from the winner.

Already a multiple Group 1 winner and a sprinting powerhouse at home, the Shamexpress gelding arrived in Sydney carrying immense expectation as the clear odds-on favourite for the richest race on turf. With 14 wins from 16 starts, all but one of them over 1200 metres, Ka Ying Rising's record spoke for itself but The Everest would ask new questions on foreign turf, under intense pressure, and in front of a global audience.

The pre-race attention reached phenomenal heights after a plain trial at Randwick raised eyebrows and travel queries lingered, however trainer David Hayes remained confident throughout.

In the end, Ka Ying Rising answered the doubters with authority.

“It was a long way down that straight but when he got over the rise and Zac hadn't used him I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him,” Hayes said.

“I can't wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It's a long straight at Randwick isn't it when you hit the front with 300 metres to go but I think he held on pretty well. Great ride by Zac (Purton) and I actually would've been shattered if he lost today. I think there's more to come with this horse.”

Hayes, who has recorded 67 Group 1 victories, rated the win as one of the greatest of his stellar training career.

“It's certainly the biggest thrill in my life,” he said. “It's been the longest ten days in my life I think. He (Better Loosen Up) was the last world champion rated horse I've trained and this is the next one. A lot of good horses in between but these are the two stars.”

It was a performance worthy of his reputation and one that confirmed his standing as one of the world's premier sprinters. However, Purton was adamant that we didn't see the best of Ka Ying Rising at Randwick and also admitted he'd had his doubts in the lead up to the race.

“There were a few days when I was not that happy with his trial but the more I analyzed it, the ground was soft and he didn't like it, he was overweight and heavy,” Purton said post-race.

“Overpass is a pretty good horse and I underestimated him until I went back into his replays over the last few days and he'd just been beaten in an Everest before so I thought, well, he just got beaten in an Everest and I couldn't beat him in a trial so he's still there.”

“I don't think we saw him at his best today but even though he wasn't at his best he's still good enough.”

The result was a landmark moment not only for connections, but also for Hong Kong Jockey Club who own The Everest slot. Ka Ying Rising made history; becoming the first international runner to win The Everest. It is the gelding's 14th consecutive victory and took his earnings past a staggering $20-million.

 

 

EPIC!

KA YING RISING TAKES OUT THE EVEREST AT ROYAL RANDWICK!

@SkyRacingAU | @WorldPool | @zpurton pic.twitter.com/Y84VjwMrUe

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 18, 2025

 

Pedigree Notes:

Bred in New Zealand by Grandmoral Lodge Racing, Ka Ying Rising was purchased off good jump out form in New Zealand prior to his debut by Lindsay Park investment group. The 5-year-old is the first and only winner out of Missy Moo (Per Incanto {USA}), a five-time winner who passed away in 2022. Her family is one of the most iconic in the New Zealand Stud Book, it is better known for classic stamina than sprinting brilliance tracing directly back to blue hen Taiona (Sovereign Edition {Ire}), dam of Champion 3-year-old Sovereign Red (Sir Tristam), Melbourne Cup winner Gurner's Lane (Sir Tristam), while Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) also features further down the page.

Ka Ying Rising is the standout performer among 15 stakes winners by Shamexpress (NZ) who stands at Windsor Park in New Zealand for a fee of (NZ)$20,000 +GST.

Saturday, Royal Randwick
THE EVEREST-G1, AU$20,000,000, ATC, 10-18, Open wfa, 1200mT, 1:08.13, gd.
1–KA YING RISING (NZ) , 58.5, g, 5, by Shamexpress (NZ)
                1st Dam: Missy Moo (NZ), by Per Incanto (USA)
                2nd Dam : Royal Rhythm (NZ), by Rhythm (USA)
                3rd Dam: Her Dynasty (NZ), by Sir Tristram (Ire)
O-Ka Ying Syndicate; B-Grandmoral Lodge Racing, (NZ); T-D A Hayes; J-Z Purton; A$7,549,000. Lifetime Record: 17-15-2-0, AU$21,171,178. Click for the Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tempted, 51.0, f, 3, Street Boss (USA)–Calliope, by Exceed and Excel. O-Godolphin; B-Godolphin Australia (NSW); T-C Maher; J-Craig Williams; AU$2,900,000.
3–Jimmysstar (NZ), 58.5, g, 6, Per Incanto (USA)–Anniesstar (NZ) , by Zed (NZ) . O-A Kheir, J O'Neill, AK Racing (Mgr: Ms K Solomon), Mrs C Algie, Ciaron Maher Racing (Mgr: C Maher), J Steet, Carty Racing (Mgr: B Carty), T Maddern, Red Rocks and Crocks, S and D Racing, B Nettlefold, S Lewin, GC 600 Syndicate, Mrs C Williams, A Williams, Solscaf Racing, P Algie & Cookie Racing; B-Mrs C A & P M Algie & Little Avondale Trust (NZ); T-C Maher; J-Ethan Brown; AU$2,000,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NS. Odds: 2.00, 16.00, 13.00.
Also Ran: Overpass, Joliestar, Angel Capital, Lady Shenandoah, Briasa, Mazu, War Machine (NZ), Jedibeel (NZ), Magic Time.
Scratched: Rothfire, Golden Mile, Iowna Merc, Generosity.
Click for the Racing Australia chart. Click for the VIDEO.

The post ‘There’s More to Come with this Horse’: Ka Ying Rising Scales the Everest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article