Ka Ying Rising locked in for 2025 The Everest as slot details confirmed

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising, the world’s number one-ranked sprinter, will embark on a two-race Australian campaign following confirmation of his slot for the world’s richest turf contest.

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising, the world’s number one-ranked sprinter, has been confirmed as a starter in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest.

Ka Ying Rising will race for new slot-holder the Hong Kong Jockey Club which is understood to have negotiated a lease arrangement for the Australian Turf Club’s slot.

There is a synergy with the two race clubs’ Everest alignment as the rich Royal Randwick sprint is part of the World Pool which is managed by HKJC, and the deal also ensures the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ya Rising, races in Sydney during spring.

It is understood ATC and HKJC are negotiating to expand the World Pool’s commingling parimutuel betting operation to include more major Sydney race meetings including the Golden Slipper.

Final details of the Ka Ying Rising Everest slot deal are expected to be announced later today.

Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes has been anticipating Ka Ying Rising’s Everest selection and is already planning the champion’s two-start Sydney spring campaign.

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“I’ve had stables at Randwick before and always had a good relationship with the club (Australian Turf Club) so I’m pleased that it seems likely the Hong Kong Jockey Club has come to a deal with them,’’ Hayes said.

“Now we can concentrate on getting Ka Ying Rising ready for The Everest.’’

Hayes said he has had discussions with James Ross, the former ATC executive who is now working with HKJC, about the quarantine and training facilities at Canterbury where Ka Ying Rising will stabled during the spring.

“I haven’t had a horse stabled at Canterbury before but I’ve seen the success the internationals have had out of there so I’m not worried about having a horse there,’’ Hayes said.

Ka Ying Rising returned to Hayes’ Hong Kong stables this week to begin pre-training ahead of his Sydney spring campaign.

HE DOES IT AGAIN! 🚀

Ka Ying Rising makes it 12 straight wins, four Group 1s and a HK$5 million Speed Series bonus with victory in the 2025 Chairman's Sprint Prize... @zpurton#FWDChampionsDay | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/IvPSPH9pcn

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025

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Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising would contest The Everest, the world’s richest turf race run at Royal Randwick over 1200m on October 18, and then back up two weeks later in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens.

If Ka Ying Rising wins both sprints, he would collect more than $10 million prizemoney. Bella Nipotina became the first to win both races last spring.

Champion Ka Ying Rising, who has won 12 races in succession, is already $1.90 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for The Everest and is set to start the shortest favourite in the race’s history. Nature Strip was $1.90 when he ran fourth to Giga Kick in the 2022 The Everest.

Ka Ying Rising has risen to the top of the world rankings after completing a perfect season in Hong Kong, winning all eight races including four at Group 1 level.

The latest edition of the 2025 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings can be found here: https://t.co/O4ZSpSYwFgpic.twitter.com/dQpJzmJXwE

— IFHA's Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) May 8, 2025

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“We gave Ka Ying Rising a five-week spell and he returned to my stables this week,’’ Hayes revealed.

“I’m still working out his program but I’m building him up slowly with a view he may run at Sha Tin on the opening day of the new season in early September and then go into quarantine for Sydney.

“I’ve got another horse to travel with him to Sydney so he has a bit of company. Ka Ying Rising is a terrific trackworker and doesn’t have to work with anything but it would be good for him to have a mate when he’s in quarantine at Canterbury.’’

Ka Ying Rising strolls to victory in the Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin in April.

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Hayes said the $1 million bonus on offer for any sprinter that could win the Everest-Russell Balding double and also Racing Victoria’s strict veterinary protocols had led to his decision to keep Ka Ying Rising in Sydney after The Everest and not aim the freakish sprinter at the Group 1 Champion’s Sprint at Flemington.

Hayes said he believed there was enough time after the two Sydney races to get Ka Ying Rising back to Hong Kong to prepare for his defence of the Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December.

Originally published as Ka Ying Rising locked in for 2025 The Everest as slot details confirmed