Brief

Trainer David Hayes backs Ka Ying Rising for Everest after early New Zealand debut

The former two‑year‑old gelding, bought for about $150,000, aims for a 22nd consecutive win in the $20 million Everest at Randwick.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:53:13 GMT

David Hayes, the champion trainer now based in Hong Kong, says Ka Ying Rising is primed for the Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday, after the horse chased a 22‑race winning streak and a $20 million prize pool.

What happened

Ka Ying Rising first ran unofficially in a rural New Zealand track near Levin just before Christmas 2022, finishing a modest race against four rivals. Bloodstock agent Michael Marais sent a video clip of that run to Hayes, who purchased the two‑year‑old bay for a syndicate estimated at about $150,000. The horse then moved to Australia, where Hayes’ sons Will, Ben and JD oversaw training. After a successful trial, jockey Blake Shinn called Hayes to request the mount for future races. The gelding has since amassed $30 million in prize money and is the favourite for the Everest, drawing gate 11 of 12.

What the reports add

The SMH piece provides details not covered in earlier Felo reporting, such as the initial New Zealand heat, the $150,000 syndicate purchase, and the quote from jockey Madan Singh about the horse’s “daisy‑cutter” action. Felo’s earlier article on 13 October noted the wide gate draw and Hayes’ confidence that rain would not affect the horse, linking the two pieces.

What was said

Hayes told SMH, “I just loved what I saw, and the ease in which he won… I never get sick of talking about him.” He added, “Jockeys know which horses stand out – Ka Ying Rising was a bit like watching Andrew Johns play against the under‑14s.” Bloodstock agent Michael Marais said he recommended the purchase after seeing the clip, though his exact words are not quoted in the article. Breeder Fraser Auret, who also trained the dam Missy Moo, said he will watch the Everest from a pub in Bulls and insisted, “You’ll think I’m making that up, but I’m not.”

How it came about

After the 2022 debut, Marais’ clip prompted Hayes to acquire the horse. Hayes’ sons prepared Ka Ying Rising at Canterbury before the horse entered Australian racing. The horse’s rapid rise attracted attention from top jockeys, leading to Shinn’s request. The syndicate’s $150,000 investment has yielded $30 million in prize money, and the horse now targets a 22nd straight win in the Everest, a race Hayes discussed in a Felo article on 13 October regarding the wide gate draw.

Key facts

Ka Ying Rising debuted unofficially in Levin, New Zealand, before Christmas 2022. (smh.com.au)
A syndicate bought the horse for about $150,000 after a video clip was sent to David Hayes. (smh.com.au)
The horse has earned $30 million in prize money and is the favourite for the $20 million Everest. (smh.com.au)
Hayes drew gate 11 of 12 for the Everest, as reported by Felo on 13 October 2026. (smh.com.au)