Ka Ying Rising has been rated the equal second-highest galloper in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025, with the champion sprinter becoming Hong Kong’s highest-rated racehorse in history on a mark of 128.

Unbeaten from eight starts last year, the David Hayes-trained superstar was second only to French star Calandagan, who was rated 130 after an outstanding year highlighted by Group One victories in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2,400m), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,392m), Champion Stakes (1,993m) and Japan Cup (2,400m).

Ka Ying Rising’s rating surpassed the figure achieved previously by Hong Kong legends Able Friend (127), Beauty Generation (127) and Golden Sixty (126).

Romantic Warrior joined Ka Ying Rising in the top 10, with Danny Shum Chap-shing’s champion ranked equal seventh on 127 after adding three victories to his remarkable record in 2025.

However, only 10 Hong Kong gallopers reached the rating of 115 required to feature on the WBRR list, which was released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities on Tuesday.

That continued a downward trend in recent years, with 12 in 2024 being the lowest tally from the city since 2008.

Triple Crown hero Voyage Bubble was Hong Kong’s next highest-rated galloper behind Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior on a mark of 121.

“Hong Kong horses have once again performed at an extraordinary level on the international stage and the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings reflect the strength, depth and quality of our elite horses,” Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

“To have two Hong Kong-trained horses among the world’s top 10 is a remarkable achievement, particularly when it is considered that Hong Kong has approximately only 1,350 horses, representing well under one per cent of the world’s active thoroughbred population.

“Ka Ying Rising’s elevation to a career-high rating of 128 is a historic milestone for Hong Kong racing and establishes him as the highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in the history of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

“His performances this season have been outstanding, and his recognition as the world’s best sprinter underlines the global strength of Hong Kong’s sprint programme.

“Romantic Warrior continues to be a tremendous standard-bearer for Hong Kong racing. His career-high mark of 127 further enhances his status as one of the world’s premier middle-distance horses, and his consistency at the highest level across multiple seasons is a testament to the dedication of his owner Peter Lau (Pak-fai), trainer Danny Shum and all those involved in his care.”

Eleven of Hong Kong’s premier races featured in the 2025 Longines World’s Top 100 Group One races, up from eight the previous year, while six were rated among the top 10 in their respective distance categories.

The Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), won by Romantic Warrior for a fourth consecutive year, was the 20th best race globally after returning a figure of 120.5.

The Japan Cup (2,400m) and Champion Stakes, both won by Calandagan, returned the equal best figure of 126.25. Each accredited Group One contest is ranked based on the average rating of the first four finishers.

“The inclusion of 11 Hong Kong races in the Top 100 Group One ranking is a powerful endorsement of the international standard of our elite programme and the competitiveness of our major race meetings,” Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding said.

“Hong Kong’s premier races continue to attract world-class horses and deliver exceptional contests. These races showcase the depth of our racing and the strength of our domestic performers against elite international opposition.

“International competition remains a core priority for the Club and, alongside our world-class domestic racing, we are proud of what Hong Kong continues to deliver for racing fans both locally and globally.”