Ka Ying Rising further enhanced his standing among racing’s elite with another commanding display at Sha Tin on Sunday, etching his name into Hong Kong racing history.
The five-year-old gelding stormed home in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, registering an 18th straight victory to eclipse the long-standing Hong Kong record of 17 set by Silent Witness in 2005.
RECORD BREAKER! 🤩
The sensational KA YING RISING surpasses Silent Witness with an 18th consecutive victory, this time in The Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup!#HKRacing | @HKJC_Racing pic.twitter.com/Olye5VWPhw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 22, 2026
Almost exactly a year after claiming the same race – which marked his 10th consecutive win – the David Hayes-trained star was greeted by a sea of yellow flags and celebratory banners as fans packed the grandstand to witness history.
Jockey Zac Purton has been central to the remarkable streak, partnering Ka Ying Rising for all but two of his wins. While Karis Teetan took the reins for the 2024 Sha Tin Vase and last year’s renewal of this race, Purton was back aboard to guide him to the record-breaking triumph.
The Australian rider entered Sunday’s meeting under a cloud, having managed just one winner from 33 rides beforehand, but he quickly turned his fortunes around by steering Almighty Lightning to victory in the opener. He would salute twice more before the feature, each time riding past the imposing bronze statue of Silent Witness positioned near the home straight.
Already regarded as one of Hong Kong’s greatest jockeys, Purton has been integral to Ka Ying Rising’s ascent. The gelding now finds himself in the conversation as one of the finest sprinters seen in the region, though comparisons with unbeaten Australian icon Black Caviar remain inevitable.
Hayes has long maintained that if his stable star can remain “sound, healthy of mind and leg”, he will rank among the all-time greats. A potential 19th consecutive win in the Sprint Cup on April 6 would bring him another step closer to that lofty status.
