The David Hayes-trained galloper Ka Ying Rising (ShamExpress) continued his jaw-dropping progress at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday when securing his seventh consecutive victory in barely believable style and in the process smashing a long-standing track record in the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m.

Taking his earnings beyond the $3.6 million prizemoney mark the red-hot race favourite rewarded his supporters with a breathtaking performance to break Sacred Kingdom’s 17-year-old record.

Sacred Kingdom’s time of 1:07.50, set on November 17, 2007, was eclipsed by 0.07 seconds as Ka Ying Rising stopped the clock at 1:07.43.

Click here to watch Ka Ying Rising in action

Displaying effortless dominance, Ka Ying Rising cruised to a 3.25-length victory with his record-breaking win made all the more memorable by champion jockey Zac Purton’s celebratory gesture—a blown kiss before crossing the finish line.

When asked about the rare show of emotion, Purton explained: “I knew it was a track record, so I thought I’d seal it with a kiss.”

The performance cements Ka Ying Rising as arguably the best thoroughbred sprinter in the world.

Prior to his win on Sunday Ka Ying Rising was rated equal World's Best Sprinter on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings to Nov 10, 2024.