Sha Tin, Hong Kong – Ka Ying Rising cemented his place in horse racing history on Sunday, February 22, 2026, achieving an unprecedented 18th consecutive victory in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. The five-year-old gelding surpassed the longstanding record of 17 consecutive wins previously held by Silent Witness, a mark that stood for over two decades, from December 2002 to April 2005. The win wasn’t just about extending a streak; Ka Ying Rising also shattered the course record, finishing the 1,400m race in a blistering 1 minute 19.36 seconds, besting the previous record of 1:19.92.
Trained by David Hayes and ridden by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising’s dominance is captivating the racing world. The horse, originally from New Zealand before being sold after a successful jumpout, has now secured 19 wins from 21 starts, demonstrating a remarkable consistency that has left both rivals and fans in awe. This latest triumph further solidifies his position as one of the world’s premier sprinters and the second-highest rated horse globally.
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup victory was particularly impressive, with Ka Ying Rising finishing 3½ lengths ahead of Helios Express, with Lucky Sweynesse a further 1¼ lengths back. Purton revealed that Hayes instructed him to “break the track record” before the race, a directive he executed flawlessly, easing the horse across the finish line with considerable energy in reserve. The winning time of 1:19.36 not only broke the overall course record but also showcased the horse’s exceptional speed and stamina.
Hayes expressed confidence in Ka Ying Rising’s ability to continue his winning streak, stating, “If we can place him conservatively, we hope to have him for another couple of seasons, that’s really exciting.” He highlighted the horse’s preference for a month between races, outlining a potential path that includes the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on April 6 and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on April 26, with a possible return to The Everest in the future.
The remarkable consistency of Ka Ying Rising – 742 days of uninterrupted victories – has surprised even his trainer. “I’ve trained a lot of horses that have gone 742 days without winning, so to continuously win for 742 days is mind-numbing,” Hayes remarked. He also noted that despite his dominance, Ka Ying Rising is still a relatively young horse, being the youngest competitor in Sunday’s race.
Hayes was particularly pleased with Purton’s execution of the race plan. “Zac went for him a bit more than he normally does and rode to instructions, which was excellent,” he said. He also emphasized his desire for Purton to allow Ka Ying Rising to run through the finish line, providing a clear indication of the horse’s strength and potential at the 1400m distance. Hayes believes that showcasing this ability will further enhance Ka Ying Rising’s worldwide ratings and establish him as the benchmark for future sprinting stars.
Ka Ying Rising’s achievements extend beyond consecutive wins and course records. He currently holds the 1200m turf course record and has already secured eight Group 1 titles, including the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (2024 & 2025), Centenary Sprint Cup (2025 & 2026), The Everest (2025), and Chairman’s Sprint Prize (2025).
Looking ahead, the focus will be on maintaining Ka Ying Rising’s fitness and strategically selecting races to maximize his potential. The upcoming Sprint Cup and Chairman’s Sprint Prize represent immediate targets, while a return to The Everest remains a long-term ambition. The racing world will be watching closely to observe if this exceptional horse can continue to defy expectations and further extend his remarkable winning streak.
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