‘Oh, yeah’: Hayes savours moment after Ka Ying Rising conquers Everest

9 hours ago 2

By Craig Kerry

October 18, 2025 — 5.57pm

“Oh, yeah.”

That was David Hayes’s reaction after his champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising proved the doubters wrong to take out the $20 million Everest at Randwick on Saturday.

After a pressure-cooker lead-up littered with social media scuttlebutt about the allegedly poor condition of the Hong Kong superstar, and criticism of his trial effort at Randwick on October 7, Hayes had good reason to be both thrilled and relieved following the “longest 10 days in my life”.

But the “oh yeah” came when he was asked whether Ka Ying Rising would be back to defend his crown.

“Oh yeah, don’t you worry about that,” Hayes said. “And we’ll get that Twitter guy out of my life.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club leased the Australian Turf Club’s Everest slot this year, the first in a three-year deal, to get its champion into the race. The question now is, can anyone beat him next year?

David Hayes celebrates after Ka Ying Rising’s Everest win.

Ka Ying Rising, with 14 wins from 16 starts, all at Sha Tin, had risen to the rank of world’s best sprinter. But in the eyes of many, an Everest victory was needed to prove in.

Australia’s Hong Kong champion jockey, Zac Purton, found a spot for the $1.95 Sportsbet favourite behind leaders Mazu and Overpass before he took over approaching the 100m, running away to a one and a quarter-length win from fast-finishing filly Tempted. Her Ciaron Maher-trained stablemate, Jimmysstar, racing more forward than usual, held on well for third from the Bjorn Baker-prepared Overpass.

The dominant win was the climax of an epic journey for Hayes, a Hall of Fame trainer in Australia who said the victory in the richest race on turf was the biggest thrill of his illustrious career.

“It was an absolute thrill and I can’t wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight, Randwick, isn’t it, when you hit the front with 300 to go – but I think he held on pretty well and great ride by Zac,” Hayes said.

Ka Ying Rising’s owner Leung Shek-kong celebrates victory.

“I actually would have been shattered if he lost today, truth be known, when he was calm an hour before the race, and I think there’s more to come with this horse. It’s certainly the biggest thrill of my life and it’s been the longest 10 days in my life, I think.”

Ka Ying Rising is known for sweating up and being unsettled pre-race, but Hayes was confident after he paraded well in front of a packed Theatre of the Horse. The victory was vindication for Hayes, who had insisted on a dress rehearsal for Ka Ying Rising at Randwick and ran him in a trial on October 7. On that occasion, he was unsettled pre-race before finishing third to Linebacker and Overpass, raising questions about his condition and ability to produce on a foreign stage.

However, Saturday’s race, where the five-year-old handled the 50,167-strong crowd with aplomb, proved the value of the run-through.

“It’s certainly the biggest thrill of my life, and it’s been the longest 10 days in my life, I think.”

David Hayes

“What happened was he blew out all the mothballs and a lot of people were very critical of the trial, but he still beat five group 1 winners and ran third, not really tested,” Hayes said.

“But he was at his top and he settled wide throughout. There’s too much went into it but what it did, it was able to let the horse settle and calm down today … and I wish I was as relaxed.”

Hayes asked, “What price did he start?”

When told Ka Ying Rising was $1.50 on the World Pool and close to even money elsewhere, he replied, “Buying money, buying money. Oh, those silly buggers.”

Purton, who inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame this year, said he enjoyed the moment.

“It’s been the biggest build up to a race I’ve been involved in, and he’s a special horse,” Purton said. “I wanted it for the horse’s legacy, more than mine. I’ve got my career and these things obviously help to do that, but this is his moment and I wanted him to be respected, with the ability I know he’s got.

“It’s probably the pinnacle of my career, especially at the stage that I’m at, on this type of horse, so I appreciate the moment. Two Hall of Famers enjoying the moment together, how good?”

Would he be back next year?

“[Hayes] is the boss,” Purton replied “If he says we’re coming back, we’re coming back.”