‘Money is not an issue’: Why this Everest owner couldn’t care less about $7million prize

3 weeks ago 6

When you are already a billionaire, another $7million hitting your bank account for winning The Everest would barely register.

That is the fortunate situation in which Leung Shek-kong – the owner of Ka Ying Rising, which starts favourite in Saturday’s cashed-up Sydney feature – may well find himself at around 4.15pm.

“Money is not an issue,” Leung told this masthead, via a translator. “To represent Hong Kong, in front of the Hong Kong crowd who come to Australia to witness the race, and also the people watching back home, it’s a matter of pride.

“Australia is a very beautiful country. It’s a dream to have a horse in a race like The Everest. The horse is special. He’s a good boy. He somehow understands what we think.”

Ka Ying Rising is widely regarded as the best thoroughbred on the planet, and is the raging $1.70 favourite for Saturday’s $20m The Everest at Randwick.

He has won 14 of his 16 career starts, and is chasing a 13th straight win for Australian trainer David Hayes and Australian jockey Zac Purton.

Owner Leung Shek-kong (right) celebrates a Ka Ying Rising win with jockey Zac Purton and trainer David Hayes

More than 50 Hong Kong journalists have made the trek to Sydney to cover the horse’s every move.

Leung has become one of the most prominent owners in Hong Kong, with his horses often carrying the name Ka Ying – a nod to his hometown in China.

The 67-year-old made his fortune through property, and is renowned for celebrating big-race wins with lavish parties, including $15,000 bottles of Petrus and shots of Moutai spirit.

On Sydney Harbour for Tuesday night’s barrier draw, Leung was accompanied by a large entourage, including a translator, and made a point of praising Purton for getting the best out of his five-year-old gelding.

Ka Ying Rising gets ready for a run at Canterbury earlier this week.

“You never have to worry about Zac’s skills,” Leung said. “He’s a very good person, and he’s nice to the horses – Zac knows horses.

One of Leung’s favourite paintings, which hangs prominently in his house, depicts Purton blowing a kiss aboard Ka Ying Rising when the horse broke a long-standing track record over 1200m at Sha Tin in November.

Hayes this week said he was not only confident Ka Ying Rising could continue his winning ways, but also potentially set a new record at Randwick if the race was run to suit. Yes Yes Yes holds the quickest time over the distance with a winning time of 67.32 seconds in the 2019 The Everest.

Betting turnover could also reach new heights, with Racing NSW COO Graeme Hinton confirming on Thursday: “Such is the international interest in the race this year, The Everest is likely to challenge the all-time world pool [betting] record of HK$74 million ($14.7million) set at the Saudi Cup.

“Combined with the additional reach from the broadcast through DAZN and Fox Sports US, we are set to break all records in terms of engagement with the race.”

Leung is not the only billionaire involved in The Everest. Tom Magnier, of the famous Coolmore family, to race War Machine, while Mike Gregg, who made last year’s Financial Review Rich List with an estimated worth of $1.1 billion, the owner of rank outsider Jedibeel.