Champion Hong Kong galloper Ka Ying Rising has created history by achieving the highest rating ever for a sprinter for his stunning victory at Sha Tin last Sunday.
After returning in a blaze of glory in the Group Three HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m), the David Hayes-trained superstar reclaimed outright top spot in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a rating of 135 when the latest rankings were released on Thursday.
That mark saw the brilliant winner of 21 consecutive races surpass the previous best figure achieved by a sprinter – 132 by Australian champion Black Caviar in 2011.
It is the equal fourth highest rating given to a racehorse since the WBRR were introduced in 2008, behind the legendary Frankel (140 and 136), Flightline (140) and Sea The Stars (136).
Baaeed, Harbinger and Japan’s highest-ever rated horse Equinox also achieved a rating of 135.
Ka Ying Rising demolished his rivals by seven and three-quarter lengths last Sunday, stopping the clock at a jaw-dropping 1:06.11 – almost a second quicker than his previous track record set earlier this year.
The nine-time Group One winner shared top spot in the WBRR with Britain’s Ombudsman on a rating of 131 before the latest update.
Fellow Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior, who was retired from racing last week, still sits equal fourth on a mark of 126.
Ka Ying Rising entered quarantine two hours after his Chief Executive’s Cup win in preparation to defend his crown in the world’s richest turf race, the A$20 million (HK$112.35 million) Group One The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on October 17.
