Ka Ying Rising gallops into the racing record books with 18th consecutive win
David Hayes-trained thoroughbred claims Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup to surpass Hong Kong great Silent Witness for most victories in a row
Ka Ying Rising cemented his place among the greats of horse racing with another dominant victory at Sha Tin on Sunday, writing his name into the record books in the process.
The five-year-old gelding cruised through the field in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, smashing the course record on the way to winning for an 18th consecutive time and surpassing the previous Hong Kong mark set by Silent Witness in 2005.
Almost a year to the day that he won the same race, which was No 10 in the march to glory, the David Hayes-trained champion was roared on by thousands of fans waving commemorative yellow flags, while huge banners proclaiming his triumph were displayed in the stands.
In the end, he covered the 1,400m distance in one minute, 19.36 seconds, knocking six-tenths of a second off the previous mark and leaving second place Helios Express and Lucky Sweynesse, who was third, trailing in his wake.
Jockey Zac Purton was there when the streak started a little more than two years ago, came along for the ride when Silent Witness’ tally was equalled last month, and fittingly rode his charge to victory on Sunday.
“He’s the horse of a lifetime, isn’t he?” Purton said. “I just shake my head every time with the performances he puts up and the ease with which he does it.