Tempted wins Everest Stakes, stops Ka Ying Rising's 21-race victory streak

Ka Ying Rising’s remarkable 21-race winning streak ended in Saturday’s Group 1 Everest Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, when the Hong Kong superstar finished a close second behind the filly Tempted.

Tempted, who paid $8.90 in American pools as the second choice, closed from third in a field of 12 to take the lead with more than a furlong remaining. Ridden by Chad Schofield, Tempted led by a length in the final sixteenth when Ka Ying Rising emerged as a threat after a wide trip.

Ka Ying Rising, the 1-4 favorite, closed stoutly but was beaten a neck in the six-furlong race. Ka Ying Rising finished a neck in front of 5-1 Joliestar.

Ka Ying Rising and Tempted were first and second in the 2025 Everest Stakes, with Joliestar fifth.

The $13.9 million Everest Stakes is the world’s richest sprint.

Last year, Ka Ying Rising raced just behind the leaders, but on Saturday was farther back in the field before launching a rally. Ka Ying Rising started from post 11, which trainer David Hayes said after the race affected the 6-year-old’s trip.

“He settled a bit farther back than we thought he would, and if we have to take a positive out of it, he was in front one stride after the post,” Hayes told the press.

“The first and third horse cut the corner and really had dream runs, and we had a horror run being six-wide, no cover. But he was brave, and I love the way he finished, but I hate the result.”

Ka Ying Rising’s winning streak began in February 2024 in Hong Kong. Of the 21 wins, 20 were at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. The 2025 Everest is Ka Ying Rising’s only start outside of Hong Kong. With a win on Saturday, Ka Ying Rising could have joined Redzel in 2017-2018 as the only two-time winner of the Everest.

Hayes said Ka Ying Rising will be pointed to the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Dec. 13. Ka Ying Rising has won the last two runnings of the Hong Kong Sprint, which draws an international field.

Tempted, trained by Ciaron Maher for Godolphin Racing, has won 10 of 15 starts since her career began in December 2024. Tempted, who is by Street Boss, has won nine stakes. The Everest was her second victory in a Group 1.

Kingswood posts upset in Caulfield Cup

Kingswood won his second Group 1 in the last year with a surprise victory in Saturday’s $4.5 million Caulfield Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, a race marred by a two-horse spill involving 2025 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours.

Kingswood ($44.60) finished a half-length in front of 8-1 Saint George, who was a half-length ahead of 8-1 Enfjaar in the field of 18.

Half Yours, who won the 2025 Caulfield Cup, was racing in tight quarters in the stretch when he fell and brought down Ohope Wins, who was racing toward the back of the field. Half Yours ran off, but Ohope Wins, a 4-year-old filly and two-time Group 1 winner earlier this year, sustained a fatal injury, according to racing officials.

Jockeys Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were taken to a hospital on a precautionary basis, according to Australian media.

Kingswood was ridden by John Allen for trainer Gavin Bedggood, a former jockey. Kingswood gave Bedggood his biggest win as a trainer in the Caulfield Cup, one of Australia’s leading races for older horses at 1 1/2 miles.

A 6-year-old British-bred horse by Roaring Lion, Kingswood has won 7 of 24 starts in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Last December, Kingswood won the Group 1 Zabeel Classic at 1 1/4 miles in New Zealand.

Kingswood is not entered in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on Nov. 3, but Saint George is a candidate.

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