Our questions are answered by leading Hong Kong-based trainer as he prepares superstar sprinter for the world’s richest turf race, the Everest, back home in Australia
David Hayes is counting down the days to the Everest, the world’s richest race run on turf, at Randwick on October 18, when the garlanded trainer can showcase the talents of Ka Ying Rising to the rest of the world.
The world’s #1 racehorse according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings, Hong Kong’s superstar sprinter has won 14 of his 16 career starts – and is undefeated in his last 13.
“To take a horse of this level back home for such a big important race, the richest turf race … you don’t really want to travel at my stage of life unless you think you’ve got a horse who can do the job, and I certainly think he can,” says Hayes.
“At the 13-win mark that he is at, I think he can earn comparison with some of the great sprinters like Black Caviar,” he goes on. “It’s just that Black Caviar did it for 28 races so if he can hang on for another season I think he should be compared to her.”
Hayes, 62, saddled Vega Magic to finish runner-up in the inaugural Everest before he returned to Hong Kong for a second spell in the territory.
However, the race remains one of the very few Australian big races to elude the trainer of more than 4,000 winners, including the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper.
The son of the legendary Colin Hayes built on his father’s legacy when taking over in 1990 before embarking on his first stay in Hong Kong, where he was twice champion trainer.
He went home in 2014 to team up with nephew Tom Dabernig, but moved back to Hong Kong in 2020, handing over the keys to Lindsay Park to sons Ben, Will and JD, who have kept the Hayes brand in the spotlight.
Which racing figure past or present do you most admire?
Of course my late father [Colin Hayes] because he started with nothing and ended up as a legend in the Hall of Fame. I really admire what he did.
As an owner, it would be Robert Sangster. He discovered Australia before everyone else. In those days travelling European horses down to Australia wasn’t done very often and when it was, it wasn’t very successful. He sent a Melbourne Cup winner out to Dad. He was a visionary and a wonderful man.
Which is your favourite venue, and race, anywhere in the world?
Being a Victorian, Flemington would be my favourite but I love Sha Tin too. It’s very special. I would have to go for the Melbourne Cup as a favourite race. Once you’ve been to one you realise why it’s so good. The country stops for it. I won one but I was involved in three, as Dad trained a couple. I also love the Cox Plate, having won three of those. The family has won seven.
Who is your favourite racehorse and why?
I didn’t train them but I raced against Winx and Black Caviar a lot. They kept winning for so long. They were untouchable over the time they raced. Winx didn’t travel but I think if she did she would have been very good. A lot of the English champions don’t travel, do they? I would have loved to have turned up against them with Ka Ying Rising.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
Winning the Japan Cup with Better Loosen Up, the only Australian horse to do it. It was the richest race in the world at the time. It was the fastest mile and a half ever run in the world that year. It was a massive occasion. Better Loosen Up was a super horse but he didn’t last that long because he bowed a tendon. He only had a year at the top.
The other memory was nearly going through the card on VRC Derby day when I won six of the eight races.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
In Australia I would take away borders and have it as a national sport, not Victoria versus New South Wales.
I would also like to see a bigger version of the World Pool. I think it would be wonderful so the industry could help itself.
David Hayes was speaking to Jon Lees
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