Moments after Ka Ying Rising forged into Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling win in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 January), David Hayes predicted the world’s best sprinter could potentially break Sha Tin’s 1400m course record next month.
Ka Ying Rising eases to victory in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club
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 G1 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.
David Hayes celebrates G1 Centenary Sprint Cup success. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club
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 the 12 February, 2024 with career prizemoney of HK$129.8 million.
Zac Purton has four Centenary Sprint Cup wins. Photo source: the Hong Kong Jockey Club
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.
Starting today (11 June), a spectacular horse-themed light projection will illuminate the iconic domed façade of the Hong Kong Space Museum, brought to the public by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Journey of the Horse: A Legacy of Arts and Culture” Light Show, which is part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Year of the Horse campaign. The multi-angle display showcases the profound significance of the horse in history, art and intangible cultural heritage (“ICH”).
Guests enjoy The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Journey of the Horse: A Legacy of Arts and Culture” Light Show.
The programme is one of the activities under Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The light show runs until 24 June, with looping screenings nightly from 8:15pm to 10:00pm. Each session lasts approximately three minutes and is free for public viewing.
The multi-angle light display of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Journey of the Horse: A Legacy of Arts and Culture” Light Show showcases the profound significance of the horse in history, art and intangible cultural heritage.
The opening ceremony took place tonight, officiated by Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Professor Ricardo Mak, Chairperson of Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee; Manda Chan, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services of HKSAR Government; and Judith Ng, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the HKSAR Government.
Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (middle); Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd left); Professor Ricardo Mak, Chairperson of Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (2nd right); Manda Chan, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services of HKSAR Government (1st left); and Judith Ng, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the HKSAR Government (1st right) officate at the opening ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Journey of the Horse: A Legacy of Arts and Culture” Light Show.
Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the light show combines technology and tradition, creating a new attraction for visitors while also showcasing the rich heritage of the horse in Hong Kong and Chinese culture. The Club is honoured to solely sponsor a diverse range of events under Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 that enable both citizens and visitors to explore Hong Kong’s cultural depth and unique charm, while experiencing the richness of Chinese civilisation.
Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture & Sports Cluster; Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series:“Journey of the Horse: A Legacy of Arts and Culture” Light Show opening ceremony.
Since 2012, the Club has supported The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. This long-standing partnership has delivered world-class exhibitions and high-quality arts and cultural programmes that inject vitality into Hong Kong’s cultural scene, attract both citizens and visitors, and reinforce the city’s position as an international cultural metropolis. These initiatives also align with the HKSAR Government’s Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 and the National 15th Five-Year Plan, as different sectors of society work together to contribute to the country’s development.
Other activities under the Hong Kong ICH Month 2026 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series include “Hong Kong ICH Month 2026” Opening Ceremony cum ICH Carnival, ICH Highlight Tours, and “10 Living ICH Treasures” Mobile Classrooms.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: “Hong Kong ICH Month 2026” Opening Ceremony cum ICH Carnival featured engaging activities and booths that enabled the public and visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage crafts and experience their cultural richness and enjoyment firsthand.
The carnival, held in late May, featured engaging activities and booths that enabled the public and visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage crafts while experiencing their cultural richness and enjoyment firsthand. Running throughout June, the ICH highlight tours offer nine themed itineraries that take participants across different districts to explore various intangible cultural heritage items, with practitioners sharing their skills and stories. The mobile classrooms bring intangible cultural heritage into primary and secondary schools through mobile exhibitions, live demonstrations and interactive workshops, enabling students to learn through enjoyable activities and fostering interest in Chinese culture.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: ICH Highlight Tours offer nine themed itineraries that take participants across different districts to explore intangible cultural heritage items.
The Club has long supported the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, encouraging public and youth participation through a diverse range of initiatives. In addition to Hong Kong ICH Month, the Club supports three local traditional events on the national heritage list: the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: ICH Highlight Tours offer nine themed itineraries that take participants across different districts to explore intangible cultural heritage items.
The Club’s support for these traditions, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.
The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.
