Better than Black Caviar and Silent Witness? Champion jockey Shane Dye’s massive call on Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising

He is set to start at ‘ridiculously short odds’ in this year’s The Everest and according to Hall of Fame jockey, even legends like Black Caviar and Silent Witness couldn’t beat Ka Ying Rising this year.

Former jockey Shane Dye rates Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising (right) higher than even great sprinters of the past like the unbeaten Black Caviar (top left) and Silent Witness.

Hall of Fame jockey Shane Dye has declared Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising a better sprinter than the legendary Black Caviar and Silent Witness.

Dye made his brazen call after Ka Ying Rising scored his 12th consecutive win in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ka Ying Rising is already into $2 favourite for the $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick later this year and Dye said the champion sprinter has the world’s richest turf race at his mercy.

Dye rode against the former Hong Kong champion Silent Witness and saw plenty of the unbeatable Black Caviar but is adamant Ka Ying Rising is the superior sprinter.

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“I always thought Silent Witness and Black Caviar were the best sprinters I had seen and it was debatable who would beat who,’’ Dye said.

“One would win one week, the other would win the other week.

“But you put Ka Ying Rising in against those two and he would win every time – 100 per cent.’’

"He's the Usain Bolt of the equine world!" âš¡

Ka Ying Rising DOMINATES in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qjXhi0cFBf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2025

• Ka Ying Rising scores 12th straight win; Everest next on agenda

Dye is never afraid to voice his opinion but it speaks volumes about Ka Ying Rising’s impact on world racing that he rated the David Hayes-trained sprinter ahead of Black Caviar and Silent Witness.

The unbeatable Black Caviar won 25 races including 15 at Group 1 level, was a three-time Australia Horse of the Year winner, held the World Champion Sprinter title four years in succession from 2010-13, was ranked the World’s Best Racehorse in 2013 and earned Hall of Fame status.

Silent Witness dominated Hong Kong racing between 2003-05, winning his first 17 starts, and was rated the World’s Champion Sprinter from 2003 to 2005.

But Dye said Ka Ying Rising went to a new level when he raced away with the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) to improve his record to 13 wins (and two seconds) from 15 starts.

"I get nervous with him... I just want to show Australia how good he is."

David Hayes will give Ka Ying Rising a break & we'll see him in Australia for The Everest 😍 pic.twitter.com/Fh0moDLwhC

— Racing.com (@Racing) April 27, 2025

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Ka Ying Rising completed an unbeaten four-year-old season with his eighth win from as many starts, scoring by more than two lengths without being fully tested by Zac Purton but still recording a blistering time of 1m 07.88s.

“Ka Ying Rising is a champion in every sense of the word,’’ Dye said. “He can break 1m 08s for 1200m under a hold.

“If he goes to Sydney for The Everest in the form he has shown this last 12 months no horse will beat him.

“It would need to be a heavy track and things to go wrong for Ka Ying Rising then something like Jimmysstar on a wet track at Randwick over 1200m fresh would be very dangerous.

“But on a good track, Ka Ying Rising can lead, sit off the speed and just win. I feel he is even better when he takes a sit like he did on Sunday.

“He settled behind the leaders then sprinted clear – it looked like a barrier trial. He can quicken as good as anything I have ever seen.’’

KA YING RISING is the world’s best sprinter!

Never in doubt, @zpurton. #FWDChampionsDaypic.twitter.com/0f8EwYmkJn

— World Pool (@WorldPool) April 27, 2025

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Ka Ying Rising, the world’s number one ranked sprinter, will now be spelled before being prepared for The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18.

With Ka Ying Rising expected to soon be locked in by a slot-holder for The Everest, he is set to start at “ridiculously short odds” in the rich Randwick sprint, according to TAB’s Tim Ryan.

“The Everest is a World Pool event and Ka Ying Rising is already a big liability for us,’’ Ryan said.

“We have a lot of multis going into Ka Ying Rising winning The Everest after a number of favourites won during the Sydney autumn carnival.

“Nature Strip is the shortest favourite we have had in The Everest, he was $1.90 when he ran fourth to Giga Kick in 2022, but I’m certain Ka Ying Rising will start much shorter if he gets to Sydney in top form in the spring.

“The Everest is still six months away and although Ka Ying Rising is now ‘evens’ in betting, because the race is part of the World Pool I think he will start ridiculously short odds because Hong Kong punters will be all over him.’’

Originally published as Better than Black Caviar and Silent Witness? Champion jockey Shane Dye’s massive call on Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising