Ka Ying Rising chases 22nd consecutive win at Royal Randwick

Ka Ying Rising Heads to The Everest After Unofficial Jump-Outs and Record Runs

Bloodstock agent Michael Marais sent a WhatsApp video of a gloomy morning track spin in rural New Zealand to trainer David Hayes, changing the trajectory of an international racing star now chasing a 22nd consecutive win at Royal Randwick. According to reporting from theage.com.au, that initial 600m heat at Levin in December 2022 featured a slow-starting bay gelding running with a daisy-cutter action against four rivals while cows grazed on the course interior.

The Tech TL;DR:

• Ka Ying Rising heads into Saturday’s $20m Everest at Royal Randwick chasing a 22nd consecutive win, 1000 days since its last defeat.
• Trainer David Hayes acquired the horse for approximately $150,000 via a syndicate after spotting the footage sent by bloodstock agent Michael Marais, later selling the horse to billionaire property tycoon Leung Shek-kong for about $500,000.

Syndicate Purchases and Jockey Reactions Shape Early Career

Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to theage.com.au that a syndicate purchased the young horse for about $150,000 following its early trials. Within days of winning its first and only trial in Australia—over seen by Hayes’ sons Will, Ben, and JD—jockey Blake Shinn contacted the stable to secure the race ride. Hayes recounted that watching the horse work felt like watching professional athletes compete against junior competitors. Following initial successes in Hong Kong, billionaire property tycoon Leung Shek-kong acquired the animal for about $500,000 in a transaction containing clauses to protect the early stakeholders.

Track Conditions and Training Regimens Before Saturday

Hayes prepared the runner for Canterbury trackwork while managing public interest surrounding the horse’s ability to handle wet ground. Had dry weather persisted, Hayes indicated confidence that a track record could fall.