The Everest

2017 saw the first edition of The Everest conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Randwick.

Run over 1200m at Weight For Age, The Everest became the richest prizemoney event in Australia and the richest race in the world run on turf.

Run in mid-October, it was worth $10million in a field comprised of horses who have been nominated by those who have purchased 'slots' in the 12 horse field.

That prizemoney was upped to $13million in 2018, $14million in 2019 and $15million in 2020, 2021 & 2022. In 2023 it became a $20million race.

Slot holders initially bought spots in the field for $600,000 a year, for a three year commitment to the race.

Those positions are able to be traded, sold, available for joint venture or lease prior to entry date and for any price.

Wagering on The Everest, sponsorship, broadcasting and race day revenues along with the slot costs created the prize pool. There was a sensational crowd filling Randwick plus free to air and subscription TV exposure on the day.

Betting turnover on the Randwick and corresponding Caulfield program reached record recent day levels.

The 12 slots go to 12 elite sprinters. In 2017 all were trained in Australia. US Navy Flag became the first overseas entry in 2018 and Ten Sovereigns followed in 2019. In the future it is expected more international horses will be attracted to run by slot-holders.

Those initial organisations/people who bought slots for the first three years include Aquis Farm, the Australian Turf Club, Coolmore, Damion Flower, GPI Racing (Greg Ingham), James Harron, Inglis, The Star Casino, TAB, Max Whitby, Chris Waller Racing and Yu Long Investments.

Due to legal matters Damion Flower was forced to relinquish his slot in 2019 and it went to global racing brand Godolphin.

At the same time, the ATC decided to share their slot in a joint arrangement with the Melbourne Racing Club. It was decided they would make the Schillaci Stakes run the week prior at Caulfield as a 'Win and You're In' race. Trekking won the first and only edition in that format.

Earlier Bon Ho and Carmel Size Racing took over a slot from 2020 as did the MiRunners organisation.

Yes Yes Yes became the first 3yo to win in 2019 after good runs in the previous two years by four of them without finding the placings. Giga Kick won for that age group again in 2022.

In winning the 2018 race Redzel would shoot to number two all-time prizemoney earner in Australian racing history behind only the champ Winx.

Following his 2020 victory, the intention straight after the race for Classique Legend was to be trained in Hong Kong and be campaigned around the world with a view to come back to Sydney and defend the crown. He came back fairly quickly though.

Chris Waller became the first trainer to train two winners of the Everest with different horses as Nature Strip won at his third attempt in a high quality affair in 2021.

Lost And Running became the first horse to be scratched on race day and was replaced by the slotholder Tabcorp with Kementari.

Think About It took his record to 11 wins from 12 starts in winning the 2023 race.

The 2023 Everest was won by Think About It from I Wish I Win and Private Eye.

The rest of the 2023 field finished as In Secret, Cylinder, Hawaii Five Oh, Espiona, Buenos Noches, Shinzo, Overpass, Mazu, Alcohol Free.