The 2025 Everest recap: Brilliant Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising blitzes the field in front of 50,000 eager punters at Royal Randwick

Hong Kong gelding Ka Ying Rising has confirmed his superstar status by winning the world's richest race on turf, the $20million Everest  over 1200m at Royal Randwick.

Ridden superbly by his regular jockey - Aussie Zac Purton - the pre-race favourite settled in third, took the lead passing the 300m mark, and surged clear towards the line for a dominant win.

The Ciaron Maher-trained pair Tempted and Jimmysstar finished second and third respectively, with Bjorn Baker's Overpass fourth after leading early.

The victory for Ka Ying Rising brought a huge sigh of relief for the five-year-old's veteran Australian trainer, David Hayes.

Arriving as the winner of 14 of 16 starts, Ka Ying Rising had drawn huge media attention since landing in Sydney late last month.

Question followed when he could manage only third in a barrier trial on October 7 - but he stood up when it mattered in front of 50,000 plus fans.

But on the big stage at a packed Randwick, the New Zealand-bred sprinter looked back near his best, leading in a field of many of Australia's finest short-course gallopers to score his fifth Group 1 success.

'It's an absolute thrill,' a jubilant Hayes said post-race. 

'I can't wait to watch the replay and enjoy it. It's a long straight isn't it, when you hit the front with 300 metres to go?

'But I think he held up pretty well. Great ride by Zac.

'I actually would've been shattered had he lost, truth be known, when he was so calm an hour before the race. 

'I (really) think there's more to come with this horse.

'It (winning the Everest) is certainly the biggest thrill of my life, and its been the longest 10 days in my life.'

The $7million first prizemoney took Ka Ying Rising's earnings to an impressive $19.5 million.