New Zealand Seal at Sha Tin: Ka Ying Rising and Mr Brightside Chase Glory

The Two Representatives from the Hayes Family are the Product of an Industry that, from the Shadows, Continues to Produce Champions Capable of Shining at the Pinnacle of International Racing

Ka Ying Rising Star: Considered by Many as the World's Best Sprinter / HKJC

SHA TIN, Hong Kong (Special for Turf Diario) – New Zealand’s Seal of Excellence: Ka Ying Rising and Mr Brightside Aim for Glory

If either Ka Ying Rising or Mr Brightside—or both—take victory in their respective races this Sunday at FWD Champions Day in Sha Tin, the celebration will not be confined to the Hayes family stables. Almost 9,500 kilometers away in New Zealand, breeders, consignors, and the entire industry are eagerly awaiting what could become a historic day.

New Zealand, a small country in size but giant in its contributions to global racing, has been producing international-class horses for over eight decades. From Phar Lap (Night Raid), born in Timaru in 1926, to contemporary stars like Aerovelocity (Pins) and Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse), the island has left its mark on the racing world. Now, Ka Ying Rising, a son of the revitalized Shamexpress, has emerged as the latest flagbearer of this tradition.

Bred at Windsor Park Stud in the Waikato region, Ka Ying Rising boasts an impressive record: 12 wins from 14 starts, including an 11-race winning streak. His last loss dates back to February 12, 2023, and this Sunday he will aim for his biggest victory yet in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1-1200m, Turf, HK$22 million).

"The horse is very special. David Hayes is in awe of him. His success has had a huge impact on the stud farm, but also on the entire New Zealand industry," said Mike Moran, marketing manager at Windsor Park. "Australia is renowned for its sprinters, but New Zealand has proven it can produce top-level horses as well."

Ka Ying Rising, the best offspring of Shamexpress—winner of the Newmarket Handicap (G1) at Flemington—was also the first foal bred by trainer Fraser Auret and conceived and born at Windsor Park, a farm with a long tradition and strong reputation among Hong Kong buyers.

"The demand from Hong Kong remains strong, and what this horse has done only reinforces that. We’re all very proud of him," Moran added.

Meanwhile, Mr Brightside, another star from the Hayes family, will seek glory in the FWD Champions Mile (G1-1600m, HK$24 million), completing a day that could be a true milestone for both his team and New Zealand racing.

The potential victories of either Ka Ying Rising or Mr Brightside on Sunday at Sha Tin would not only be a cause for celebration for the Hayes family. It would also further establish New Zealand as an inexhaustible source of champions and mark the culmination of a remarkable resurgence for the sire Shamexpress.

Just five years ago, Shamexpress had nearly lost favor with breeders, seeing a significant drop in the number of mares he covered. However, a new generation of progeny has revived his profile: Lim’s Saltoro, winner of the Triple Crown in Singapore and now based in Melbourne; Maracana and Grinzinger Belle, both with notable wins under trainer Danny O’Brien; and of course, Ka Ying Rising, his best offspring to date.

"All these horses appeared at the same time, and Shamexpress came back into vogue, especially with his colts," explained Mike Moran from Windsor Park Stud. "Today, they’re in demand and fetch good prices at sales."

On the other hand, Mr Brightside has a unique story within the Kiwi turf scene. Bred by R I & Est late M A G Johnson, he ran just once in New Zealand, finishing fifth with bad luck in a maiden at Matamata. He was bought online by trainer Ralph Manning for NZ$7,750, before being sold to Lindsay Park, the Hayes family's racing operation in Australia.

A son of the modest Bullbars, a G3 winner at Flemington, and the mare Accessories (by Darley), Mr Brightside is a half-brother to Helmet and Epaulette. Surprisingly, he is the only G1 winner sired by Bullbars, a stallion who passed away before the 2023 season after leaving Highview Stud in Hamilton to join Orange Court Stud in South Australia.

A victory by either of the two horses would also mark another triumph of a Kiwi bred for the Hayes family, whose connection with New Zealand has produced notable champions: Dulcify (Colin Hayes), Zabeel (Colin and later David Hayes), Mr Brightside (Ben, JD, and Will Hayes), and now Ka Ying Rising (David Hayes).

The upcoming FWD Champions Day, one of the most important international race days on the calendar, could thus seal another brilliant chapter in the enduring and successful partnership between New Zealand and the Hayes family.