Trainer David Hayes is set to make history with Ka Ying Rising, who seeks an 18th consecutive victory in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 5-year-old horse aims to surpass Silent Witness's record of 17 straight wins in Hong Kong racing. The race, worth US$1.66 million, is scheduled for about seven furlongs with post time at 3:30 a.m. EST.
Ka Ying Rising, a 5-year-old son of Shamexpress, enters the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup with an unbeaten streak that began in February 2024. The horse has secured 18 career wins from 20 starts, suffering defeats only twice in his debut season. Rated at 138, he has earned HK$129.85 million and claimed seven Group 1 victories, including the 2025 G1 The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, worth US$14.1 million—a race he plans to target again later this year.
This will mark his sixth start this season and a return to a race he won last year by a length and a half at 1400 meters, his only prior run at the distance. Trainer David Hayes expressed excitement about the opportunity. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to try and break Silent Witness’ record," Hayes said. "His gallop was good: it was just his usual Ka Ying Rising gallop, and he’s very much in his routine, and it seems to suit him.”
Hayes noted improvements in the horse's condition: “He’s bigger, stronger and better than last year. My team has done an incredible job with him.” Recent preparations include a gallop on Sha Tin’s dirt course in 24.2 seconds on Monday and 28.0 seconds on Friday, plus a barrier trial on February 10 where he clocked 1:08.03 for six furlongs under jockey Zac Purton.
Drawing barrier three, Ka Ying Rising is expected to be the one-dollar favorite in a field where all runners carry 126 pounds. Rivals include Lucky Sweynesse, Helios Express, Red Lion, Galaxy Patch, Sunlight Power, Copartner Prance, Patch Of Theta, Raging Blizzard, and Packing Hermod. Hayes commented on the competition: “Helios Express is better suited at this distance against Ka Ying Rising. Lucky Sweynesse is back in form, but if it was a handicap, Ka Ying Rising would be giving some of them 20 pounds.”
The 11-race card at Sha Tin begins at midnight EST with the class 4 Daffodil Handicap over five furlongs. Hayes anticipates a strong performance, saying, “I know he’ll run it and I know he’s better this year than he was last year. If they go too fast in the race he’ll sit second or third and if they go too slow, he’ll lead.”
