Levin link for world’s fastest horse

Levin link for world’s fastest horse

The first person to put his leg over the fastest racehorse on the planet says it’s satisfying to know that world champions can come from anywhere. 

Ka Ying Rising, who rose to stardom winning the $20 million Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick at the weekend and is recognised as the world’s best sprinter, was educated as a young horse in Levin under the watch of former jockey Sean Collins. 

Sean taught the horse to accept a jockey onboard and to steer as an early 2-year-old in 2022. He took photos and videos of the horse so his connections were updated with progress reports.

“I remember him turning up. He was quite raw – he was touchy to start with and it took a wee bit to gain his trust,” Sean says. “You have to take your time and do the groundwork and gain a horse’s confidence.

“He hadn’t had a sales preparation so was straight from the paddock, so I remember just having to be patient with him.

“He wasn’t a big horse, he was actually quite lightly-framed. But there was definitely something about him.”

Sean, 42, retired from raceday riding in 2008 after a successful career as a jockey riding 161 winners, but has kept working in the industry in various roles ever since.

“I was lucky to ride some nice horses, but nothing in that league,” he says. “You just never know do ya?

That’s the beauty of this game. The superstars can come from anywhere.”

Raceday jockey Zac Purton has messaged Sean since the race, aware of his connection to the horse.

“He just said you’re on the journey too, and I know what he means,” Sean says.

The same could be said for Marton horseman Fraser Auret, who bred and owned Ka Ying Rising before selling him as an unraced 3-year-old to Chinese interests for $250,000 on the strength of a jumpout win at Levin Equine Training Facility.

One of Fraser’s children actually nicknamed the horse Rocket after watching him galloping around the paddock.

“As it turns out, he really is a rocket,” Fraser says.

Having bred and raised a horse like Ka Ying Rising from home is giving Fraser the same excitement as training a Group One winner himself – remarkable considering it was his first foray into breeding. 

“It gives you that same euphoria,” he says. “We all know how hard it is to get there … it’s a massive thrill. A fairytale.”

Incredibly, the third horse across the line in The Everest, Jimmystar, was educated at Te Horo’s Cavallo Lodge by renowned horseman Chris Rutten.

Sean spent more than a year working with Chris in recent times and the two were able to have a bit of friendly banter before in the race.

But all jokes aside, it’s incredible to think the two horses were educated down the road from each other.    

Ka Ying Rising has now won 14 of his 16 career starts, including the last 13 in succession, earning more than NZ$23 million.

Last season was a breakout year, winning four Group One level races in Hong Kong and breaking the 1:08min mark for 1200m each time.

He is by the Windsor Park stallion Shamexpress from the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo, who won five races, her last race finishing unplaced in the Wellington Cup.