Ka Ying Rising breaks another barrier to reign as the world's top-ranked racehorse

The Hong Kong phenomenon surged to an extraordinary 135 rating in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings after shattering the Sha Tin track record, achieving the highest mark ever awarded to a sprinter under the current system and surpassing the 132-point benchmark set by the unforgettable Black Caviar

HONG KONG (Special for Turf Diario).— Ka Ying Rising no longer relies solely on his dominance in the chart to illustrate the true scope of his brilliance. He now carries a historic figure to back it up: 135. The extraordinary sprinter has locked down absolute leadership in the seventh edition of the 2026 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, while establishing the highest rating ever awarded to a short-distance runner since the current international classification system was introduced.

Until now, that lofty privilege belonged to none other than Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), the phenomenal Australian champion who reached a 132-point mark back in 2011. Ka Ying Rising entered the weekend sitting at 131, and his astounding performance in last Sunday's HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (G3) at Sha Tin prompted international handicappers to elevate him by four points—a mark that appears remarkably steep on paper.

The son of Shamexpress notched his 21st consecutive victory in the process, extending his own record streak in Hong Kong, though the most staggering component came directly from the clock. He stopped the timer in 1m06s11/100 for the 1200 meters, shaving nearly a full second off his own track record for the distance at Sha Tin.

Furthermore, he accomplished the feat under a towering assigned weight of 135 pounds, conceding up to 20 pounds to the vast majority of his rivals before drawing away with effortless superiority to hit the wire 7 3/4 lengths clear.

The victory also served as a temporary farewell to Hong Kong, as Ka Ying Rising immediately entered quarantine following the race to prepare for his flight to Australia, where on October 17 he will attempt to defend his crown in The Everest (G1).

The revised figures reshuffle the upper tier of the global rankings, where Ombudsman (Night of Thunder), who previously shared top honors with Ka Ying Rising, now remains at 131 after finishing fourth in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York.

It was precisely that York feature that sparked the other major shift in the latest standings. Item (Frankel) surged from 122 to 126 points after nipping Almaqam (Lope de Vega) by a head in a thrilling finish, a performance that propelled him straight into the world's top five.

Almaqam emerged from that battle with his reputation enhanced as well, rising from 122 to 125 points to confirm his standing among the elite. Behind the top pair finished Constitution River (Wootton Bassett), now rated 124, and Ombudsman.

Rematch opportunities from the Juddmonte International will come quickly, as Item, Almaqam, and Constitution River headline the prospective field for this Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown.

The latest update also integrated several notable new names.

Among them is Erdenali (Caravaggio), assigned 124 points following his triumph in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1), where he outpointed Ten Bob Tony (Night of Thunder, 121), Gstaad (Starspangledbanner, 125), and Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath, 123).

Likewise reaching 124 points was Maltese Cross (Sea the Stars), whose development has been remarkable. After capturing the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (G1), he validated his form at York by taking the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2), solidifying his standing among Europe's premier 3-year-olds.

Another major riser was Almeraq (Dark Angel), elevated to 123 following his striking victory in the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (G1) at Haydock. The William Haggas trainee put a disappointing effort in the July Cup (G1) well behind him, scoring by 4 1/4 lengths to secure his second career top-flight title.

The United States circuit also generated upward mobility. Englishman (Maxfield) climbed from 120 to 122 points after cruising by 3 3/4 lengths in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, while Knightsbridge(Nyquist) jumped from 119 to 122 courtesy of his dominant 6 1/4-length win in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

Yet all secondary moves were ultimately overshadowed by events at Sha Tin.

Ka Ying Rising concluded his previous campaign breaking track records, captured The Everest against Australia's sprint elite, and returned to action giving away massive weight packages only to shatter the clock once more.

International handicappers have now put a formal figure on that unprecedented dominance.

135 points. Higher than Black Caviar. Higher than any sprinter since the inception of the current rating framework. And, for the moment, higher than any other Thoroughbred on the planet in 2026.

Ka Ying Rising continues to rack up wins. But at this point in his journey, he has begun running directly against history.