Tempted Conquers The Everest: Australian Mare Ends Ka Ying Rising’s 21-Race Winning Streak in Historic Randwick Upset

Tempted Conquers The Everest: Australian Mare Ends Ka Ying Rising’s 21-Race Winning Streak in Historic Randwick Upset

Australian racing witnessed one of its most extraordinary moments at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 17 October 2026, when Tempted produced a breathtaking performance to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million Group 1 TAB Everest.

It was a result that stunned the racing world.

A result that ended one of the most remarkable winning streaks in modern thoroughbred racing.

And a result that confirmed Tempted as one of the finest sprinting mares Australia has produced in recent years.

The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old, carrying the famous royal blue colours of Godolphin, held off a desperate late challenge from Hong Kong’s champion sprinter to win the world’s richest turf race by just under a quarter of a length.

Ridden superbly by Chad Schofield, Tempted capitalised on her inside barrier, travelled beautifully behind the leaders and accelerated clear in the Randwick straight.

But the race was far from over.

Ka Ying Rising, the world’s highest-rated racehorse, was launching an extraordinary finishing effort after enduring a difficult run from barrier 11.

As the pair approached the winning post, the champion was gaining with every stride.

For a moment, it appeared he might produce another miraculous victory.

But Tempted refused to surrender.

She found the winning post first.

Ka Ying Rising finished second, with Joliestar third.

The official time was 1:08.21 for the 1200 metres, with the final 600 metres recorded in 34.28 seconds.

And just like that, Ka Ying Rising’s extraordinary sequence of 21 consecutive victories was over.

For Tempted, it was the ultimate triumph.

For Ciaron Maher, another magnificent training achievement.

For Chad Schofield, the biggest victory of his career.

And for Australian racing, a moment that will be remembered for generations.

The Race the World Was Watching

The 2026 Everest was never going to be an ordinary race.

From the moment Ka Ying Rising was confirmed as a returning contender, attention turned towards Randwick.

The Hong Kong superstar had dominated international sprinting.

Trained by Australian David Hayes and ridden by champion jockey Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising arrived in Sydney carrying an extraordinary reputation.

He had won 21 consecutive races.

He had not been beaten since January 2024.

He had conquered the 2025 Everest.

And he was widely regarded as the best racehorse in the world.

The expectation was simple.

Ka Ying Rising would return to Randwick, win another Everest and extend his remarkable winning streak to 22.

Bookmakers certainly believed that was the likely outcome.

He started the overwhelming $1.35 favourite.

For many racing enthusiasts, the question wasn’t whether Ka Ying Rising would win.

It was how far.

But racing has a wonderful habit of reminding everyone that even the greatest champions can be beaten.

Especially when they encounter an outstanding opponent who produces the performance of a lifetime.

That opponent was Tempted.

Twelve Months of Redemption

One of the most compelling aspects of Tempted’s victory is that her Everest story began 12 months earlier.

In the 2025 edition, the then three-year-old filly finished second behind Ka Ying Rising.

She ran an outstanding race, but the Hong Kong champion proved too strong.

For many horses, finishing second in a $20 million race against the world’s best sprinter would be considered an extraordinary achievement.

But Tempted’s connections believed there was more to come.

And they were right.

Since that defeat, the daughter of Street Boss had developed into an exceptional race mare.

She had matured physically.

She had become stronger.

She had continued to improve with every preparation.

And most importantly, she had learned how to win consistently against elite opposition.

By the time she returned to Randwick for the 2026 Everest, Tempted had won her previous five starts.

She was unbeaten since finishing second to Ka Ying Rising in 2025.

The rematch therefore carried an extraordinary storyline.

The defending champion against the rapidly improving challenger.

The world’s highest-rated horse against one of Australia’s most exciting mares.

The horse chasing a 22nd consecutive victory against the mare looking for a sixth.

Twelve months earlier, Ka Ying Rising had been too strong.

This time, Tempted was ready to turn the tables.

A Perfectly Executed Ride From Chad Schofield

The Everest was ultimately decided by a combination of exceptional ability and outstanding race tactics.

Chad Schofield understood that defeating Ka Ying Rising would require more than simply hoping his mare could produce a strong finish.

He needed to create an advantage.

And barrier one gave him that opportunity.

Tempted jumped cleanly and secured an ideal position behind the early leaders.

Savvy Hallie established the speed, with Blue Door racing alongside her.

Schofield allowed Tempted to settle comfortably behind them.

He didn’t waste energy fighting for the lead.

He didn’t become involved in an unnecessary speed battle.

Instead, he ensured his mare travelled efficiently while maintaining a position that would allow her to strike when the opportunity arrived.

Meanwhile, Ka Ying Rising was experiencing a very different race.

From barrier 11, Zac Purton was unable to establish the forward position many had expected.

The Hong Kong champion settled midfield and was forced to cover additional ground.

Schofield recognised the situation.

He knew the favourite was further back than anticipated.

He knew Tempted had the tactical advantage.

And he knew he couldn’t afford to wait for Ka Ying Rising to build momentum.

As the field approached the home turn, Schofield began preparing his mare for the decisive move.

The moment they straightened, Tempted accelerated.

She quickly swept past the leaders.

And suddenly, the world’s best racehorse had a serious problem.

He had ground to make up.

And Tempted was flying.

The Final 200 Metres That Stopped Randwick

The final stages of the 2026 Everest will be replayed for years.

Tempted had established a decisive advantage.

She was travelling strongly.

Her jockey had executed the race perfectly.

But behind her, Ka Ying Rising was beginning to produce the acceleration that had made him an international superstar.

Zac Purton asked the champion for everything.

Ka Ying Rising responded.

His stride lengthened.

His momentum increased.

And the margin began to disappear.

With 200 metres remaining, Tempted looked the winner.

With 100 metres remaining, the result was becoming less certain.

The crowd could see Ka Ying Rising closing.

The champion was coming.

Every stride brought him closer.

But Tempted was refusing to weaken.

She continued to respond under pressure.

Her determination matched her athletic ability.

The pair approached the winning post with almost nothing separating them.

And then the line arrived.

Tempted had done it.

Ka Ying Rising was beaten.

The winning margin was approximately 0.23 lengths.

Joliestar finished another narrow margin behind in third.

In just over 68 seconds, Australian racing had witnessed one of the most dramatic Everest finishes ever contested.

Ciaron Maher Produces Another Training Masterpiece

Few trainers in Australian racing understand how to prepare a horse for a major occasion better than Ciaron Maher.

His operation has become one of the most successful in the country.

From elite sprinters to stayers, juveniles to established Group 1 performers, Maher has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to develop horses and have them ready when the biggest races arrive.

Tempted’s Everest victory was another outstanding example.

The mare had been carefully managed throughout her preparation.

She resumed with victory in the Group 2 Concorde Stakes.

She then produced another excellent performance to win the Group 2 Premiere Stakes.

Those races established that she was in outstanding form.

But the Everest represented an entirely different challenge.

She would be meeting the world’s best sprinter.

She would need to produce the strongest performance of her career.

And she would need to do it on the biggest stage in Australian racing.

Maher believed she was capable of improving again.

Following the victory, he explained that he had been confident throughout the week that Tempted would produce her best performance.

That confidence was justified.

She arrived at Randwick in outstanding condition.

She was tactically versatile.

She was mentally ready.

And she delivered when it mattered most.

It was Maher’s second Everest victory, having previously won the race with another outstanding mare, Bella Nipotina, in 2024.

Two Everest victories with two exceptional mares.

That is an extraordinary achievement.

Ka Ying Rising Loses Nothing in Defeat

Although Tempted deserves every accolade for her victory, it would be unfair to overlook the extraordinary performance produced by Ka Ying Rising.

The Hong Kong champion was beaten.

But he was far from disgraced.

In fact, his performance may have enhanced the respect many racing enthusiasts have for him.

From barrier 11, Ka Ying Rising was unable to secure the position his connections had anticipated.

He was forced to race wide.

He covered significantly more ground than the winner.

And when the field turned for home, he faced a difficult task.

Yet he almost won.

His finishing effort was remarkable.

He continued to accelerate when many horses would have surrendered.

And he was still gaining ground after the winning post.

David Hayes was understandably disappointed.

The trainer believed the wide barrier and the additional ground covered had played a major role in the result.

He also emphasised that the horse had demonstrated enormous courage.

Those observations are understandable.

Ka Ying Rising did not enjoy the same economical passage as Tempted.

But racing is about more than raw ability.

Barriers matter.

Positioning matters.

Tactics matter.

And on Saturday, Tempted and Chad Schofield executed their race better than anyone else.

Ka Ying Rising remains an extraordinary champion.

His 21 consecutive victories represent an achievement few horses will ever approach.

One defeat does not diminish that record.

Instead, it reinforces just how difficult it is to remain unbeaten at the highest level.

Godolphin Celebrates Its First Everest Victory

Tempted’s triumph was also a landmark moment for Godolphin.

The international racing and breeding operation, founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has enjoyed extraordinary success across the world’s major racing jurisdictions.

Its famous royal blue colours have been carried to victory in the Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper, Cox Plate and numerous other prestigious races.

But until Saturday, an Everest victory had remained elusive.

Tempted changed that.

The Godolphin homebred mare became the operation’s first winner of the world’s richest turf race.

It was a particularly satisfying achievement because Godolphin had bred and developed the mare rather than purchasing her as an established performer.

From her early education through to her emergence as a Group 1 winner, Tempted’s development had been carefully managed.

Her victory was a reward for the entire organisation, from the breeding operation to the racing stable and everyone responsible for her preparation.

It also demonstrated the strength of Godolphin’s Australian breeding program.

The operation has consistently produced elite performers capable of competing at the highest level.

Tempted now belongs among its most celebrated Australian racehorses.

The Street Boss Influence

Tempted is by Street Boss out of the Exceed And Excel mare Calliope.

Her pedigree brings together two influential sources of sprinting ability.

Street Boss has developed into an outstanding international stallion, producing numerous Group 1 winners.

In Australia, his most celebrated progeny include Anamoe, one of the country’s most accomplished modern racehorses.

He has also produced talented performers such as Traffic Warden and Tentyris.

Tempted’s Everest victory adds another extraordinary achievement to the stallion’s record.

On her dam’s side, Calliope brings the influence of Exceed And Excel, a stallion whose contribution to Australian and international sprint racing has been immense.

That combination of Street Boss and Exceed And Excel provides Tempted with an exceptional sprinting pedigree.

But what makes her particularly special is her ability to combine natural speed with the determination required to compete under pressure.

At Randwick, she demonstrated both qualities.

Her acceleration allowed her to establish the winning advantage.

Her courage allowed her to maintain it.

Following the Everest, Tempted’s career earnings reached approximately $14.5 million, making her Street Boss’s highest-earning progeny.

The Importance of Barrier Draws in Elite Racing

The 2026 Everest also provided a fascinating demonstration of how barrier draws can influence the outcome of major races.

Tempted jumped from barrier one.

Ka Ying Rising jumped from barrier 11.

Those positions helped shape the contest.

Schofield was able to establish an economical position close to the speed.

Purton, meanwhile, was forced to make difficult decisions after Ka Ying Rising could not secure his preferred position.

The champion covered additional ground and had to produce an exceptional finishing effort to challenge.

It would be inaccurate to suggest that the barrier draw alone determined the result.

Tempted still needed to produce an extraordinary performance.

She had to accelerate at the right moment.

And she had to withstand the challenge of one of the greatest sprinters of the modern era.

But the race demonstrated how small tactical advantages can become decisive at the highest level.

Over 1200 metres, particularly against elite opposition, there is very little room for error.

A horse that covers additional ground may need to produce a substantially better performance simply to reach the same position as a rival enjoying an economical run.

That is part of the complexity of racing.

The best horse does not automatically win every race.

The horse that combines ability, preparation, positioning and execution often has the advantage.

On Saturday, that horse was Tempted.

Joliestar Produces Another Excellent Everest Performance

While attention understandably centred on Tempted and Ka Ying Rising, Joliestar also deserves recognition.

The Chris Waller-trained mare finished third under James McDonald, producing another excellent performance in elite sprinting company.

Joliestar has established herself as one of Australia’s leading sprinting mares.

Her ability to compete consistently against the country’s best sprinters has made her an important part of the Australian racing landscape.

At Randwick, she again demonstrated her quality.

She secured an economical run and finished strongly to claim third, narrowly behind Ka Ying Rising.

The result further strengthened the depth of the 2026 Everest.

This was not simply a contest between two horses.

It was a race featuring several outstanding performers, each capable of producing a major result.

Headwall finished fourth, adding another strong performance to his record.

But ultimately, the race belonged to Tempted.

The Rise of the Australian Sprinting Mare

Tempted’s victory continues an interesting trend in Australian sprint racing.

In recent years, elite mares have demonstrated that they are more than capable of defeating the best male sprinters in the country.

Bella Nipotina provided one of the most memorable examples when she won the 2024 Everest.

Her toughness, consistency and ability to compete across multiple preparations made her one of Australia’s most admired race mares.

Two years later, Tempted has followed in her footsteps.

Both mares were trained by Ciaron Maher.

Both defeated elite opposition.

And both demonstrated the extraordinary competitive qualities that can make a top-class mare so valuable.

Tempted is now only the second mare to win The Everest.

That achievement carries enormous significance.

It places her alongside Bella Nipotina in the race’s history and confirms her standing among Australia’s elite sprinters.

A $20 Million Race That Delivered Everything

The Everest has transformed Australian racing since its introduction in 2017.

Its enormous prizemoney, slot-holder format and international profile have made it one of the most recognisable sprint races in the world.

The 2026 edition carried $20 million in total prizemoney.

That figure alone guarantees international attention.

But prizemoney does not automatically produce a great race.

Great races require great horses.

They require compelling rivalries.

They require dramatic finishes.

And they require moments that capture the imagination of the racing public.

The 2026 Everest delivered all of those elements.

It brought the world’s highest-rated racehorse back to Australia.

It featured an outstanding Australian mare seeking redemption.

It produced a tactical battle between two highly accomplished jockeys.

And it ended with a thrilling finish that separated the first two horses by less than a quarter of a length.

For the thousands of spectators at Randwick and the millions following the race around the world, it was a spectacular advertisement for Australian racing.

What the Result Means for International Racing

Tempted’s victory will also have implications for the international sprinting landscape.

Ka Ying Rising arrived in Australia with a reputation that few horses could match.

His 21-race winning streak and extraordinary performances in Hong Kong had established him as the benchmark against which the world’s leading sprinters were measured.

Defeating him was therefore an achievement of enormous significance.

Tempted has now demonstrated that she can compete with the very best.

But it is important to recognise the circumstances of the race.

Ka Ying Rising endured a difficult passage.

Tempted enjoyed a more economical run.

And the winning margin was extremely narrow.

Those factors mean the result should not be interpreted as proof that Tempted would defeat Ka Ying Rising under every set of circumstances.

What it does prove is that, on one of the biggest stages in world racing, she was capable of producing a performance good enough to defeat him.

That is an extraordinary achievement in itself.

And it adds a fascinating new dimension to any future meeting between the pair.

What Comes Next for Tempted?

Following such an extraordinary victory, attention will naturally turn towards Tempted’s future.

At four years of age, the mare may still have further improvement ahead of her.

Ciaron Maher has already expressed confidence that she has continued to develop with each preparation.

Her latest performance supports that assessment.

She has now won six consecutive races.

She has defeated the world’s highest-rated horse.

And she has added The Everest to her growing collection of major victories.

The challenge for connections will be deciding how best to manage her career from here.

There will undoubtedly be opportunities in Australia’s major sprint races.

International options may also attract attention.

However, any future program will need to consider the mare’s recovery, physical condition and long-term interests.

Godolphin has an exceptional record of managing elite racehorses.

There is no reason to rush decisions following such a significant achievement.

For now, Tempted has earned the opportunity to enjoy her place at the top of Australian sprint racing.

Why This Victory Matters to Kurrinda Bloodstock and Australian Owners

At Kurrinda Bloodstock, performances such as Tempted’s Everest victory remind us why thoroughbred racing is such an extraordinary sport.

Every owner dreams of finding a special horse.

A horse capable of competing at the highest level.

A horse that can take its connections to the biggest race meetings.

A horse that can produce unforgettable moments.

Tempted’s story demonstrates how those dreams can develop over time.

She was not an overnight sensation.

Her career has involved careful preparation, progressive improvement and the patience required to allow her ability to fully emerge.

Twelve months ago, she was second to Ka Ying Rising.

Since then, she has developed into a stronger, more accomplished racehorse.

And when the opportunity arrived to challenge him again, she was ready.

That progression is something every racing owner can appreciate.

Horses develop at different rates.

Some demonstrate exceptional ability early.

Others continue improving with maturity.

The key is recognising their potential and giving them the opportunity to reach it.

Tempted’s victory was the ultimate example of that philosophy.

It was a reward for patience, planning and outstanding horsemanship.

And it demonstrated that even the most formidable opponent can be beaten when a horse produces the performance of its life.

A Moment That Will Be Remembered for Generations

The 2026 Everest will always be remembered as the day Ka Ying Rising’s remarkable winning streak came to an end.

But that description alone does not do justice to what happened at Randwick.

This was not simply a champion being defeated.

It was an exceptional Australian mare producing the greatest performance of her career.

It was Chad Schofield delivering a ride of extraordinary tactical awareness.

It was Ciaron Maher preparing another elite performer to peak on the biggest stage.

It was Godolphin celebrating its first Everest victory.

And it was a reminder that racing’s greatest moments often arrive when the expected result does not occur.

Ka Ying Rising entered the race as the overwhelming favourite.

He was chasing history.

He was expected to win.

But Tempted had other ideas.

She accelerated when the race demanded it.

She fought when the champion challenged.

And she refused to surrender.

By the time the winning post arrived, the result was beyond doubt.

Tempted had conquered The Everest.

She had defeated the world’s best racehorse.

She had ended a 21-race winning streak.

And she had written her name into Australian racing history.

For Kurrinda Bloodstock and racing enthusiasts throughout Australia, it was a magnificent reminder of what makes this sport so special.

There are champions.

There are favourites.

There are extraordinary winning streaks.

But there are no guarantees.

Every race must still be run.

Every challenge must still be answered.

And sometimes, on the biggest stage of all, an outstanding horse produces something nobody will ever forget.

On Saturday, 17 October 2026, that horse was Tempted.

And her victory over Ka Ying Rising will forever be remembered as one of the great moments in the history of The Everest.

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