The Everest
LocationRandwick Racecourse,
Sydney, Australia
Inaugurated2017
Race typeThoroughbred flat
SponsorTAB (2022)
Websitewww.theeverest.com.au
Race information
Distance1,200 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
Qualification$700,000 entry fee (2023)
WeightWeight for Age
Purse$20 million (2023)[1]

The Everest is an Australian Turf Club Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race run over 1,200 metres on turf at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia. Run for the first time in 2017 as a Special Conditions class since it is not yet eligible for Group race status.[2][3]

Prize money was increased in 2018 to $15 million,[3][4] and in 2023 to $20 million,[1][5][6] it is the richest race in Australia and the richest turf race in the world. It is held annually in October as the feature race of the Sydney Spring Carnival.[7][8][9]

The race has an unusual entry fee structure, similar to that of the Pegasus World Cup. Twelve "slots" are sold for $700,000 each,[5][6] which represents a slot in the starting gate for a then unspecified horse. The slot holder then has the right to race, lease, contract or share a starter, or sell their place in the gate.[7] For example, in the 2017 running, slotholder James Harron struck a deal with the owners of Redzel to use his spot to enter their horse, who went on to win the race.[10]

Prior to the 2018 event, the race attracted criticism[11][12] from the Australian public and media after organisers of the event successfully lobbied for the sails of the Sydney Opera House to be used as an advertisement for the race. Protests against this proposal and government support of it were held at the Opera House along with submission of a petition with over 300,000 signatures collected in less than a week in October 2018, however the pre-race event still went ahead in a modified format.[13]

In October 2022 the barrier draw was released to the public with a night time display over Sydney Harbour using 501 drones[14] and the race attracted 46,221 patrons.[3]

Winners

Year
 Winner
 Age Gender Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Slot Owner Time
2017 Redzel[15] 5 Gelding Kerrin McEvoy Peter & Paul Snowden Triple Crown syndicate[15] James Harron[15] 1:08.36
2018 Redzel[16] 6 Gelding Kerrin McEvoy Peter & Paul Snowden Triple Crown syndicate Yulong Investments 1:12.03
2019 Yes Yes Yes[17] 3[17] Colt[17] Glen Boss[17] Chris Waller[17] Coolmore Stud et al[17] Chris Waller Racing 1:07.32
2020 Classique Legend[18] 5 Gelding Kerrin McEvoy Les Bridge Bon Ho Bon Ho 1:08.27
2021 Nature Strip[19] 7 Gelding James McDonald Chris Waller RAE Lyons et al. Chris Waller Racing[20] 1:09.11
2022 Giga Kick[21] 3[21] Gelding Craig Williams[21] Clayton Douglas[22] Jonathan Munz[22] James Harron[22] 1:09.86
2023 Think About It[23] 5 Gelding Sam Clipperton Joseph Pride Proven Thoroughbreds et al. Newgate & GPI Racing[24] 1:07.64

References

  1. ^ a b "THE TAB EVEREST". theeverest.com.au. Racing NSW. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Everest turnover smashes records". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Pengilly, Adam (26 February 2023). "Documents reveal how The Everest tore Australian racing apart". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Everest Prize Money increase". JustHorseRacing. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  5. ^ a b "The Everest prizemoney purse set to increase to $20 million". smh.com.au. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b "The TAB Everest 2023". racenet.com.au. racenet. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b The Everest, World's Richest Turf Event Australian Turf Club 1 February 2017
  8. ^ Royal Randwick to host $10m Everest spring at Spring Carnival - making it the richest race on turf Fox Sports 1 February 2017
  9. ^ The Everest: Sydney to hold the richest turf race in the world ABC News 2 February 2017
  10. ^ "Redzel climbs to seal Everest". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Opera House brand guru delivers Everest-sized slap in face to Racing NSW". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  12. ^ Pitt, Helen (9 October 2018). "Sydney Opera House 'action' to deflect Everest light show". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  13. ^ "How the Everest Opera House showdown will play out". News.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  14. ^ Pengilly, Adam (11 October 2022). "The Everest's drones light up Sydney Harbour". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Race 8 The Everest Racing Australia 14 October 2017
  16. ^ "Redzel reigns supreme again in The Everest". www.racenet.com.au. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Rubick colt wins record breaking $14 million everest". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  18. ^ "2020 Everest". racingpost.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  19. ^ "2021 Everest". racing.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Kennedy Snares GPI Racing Everest Slot For 2021 - Racing New South Wales". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  21. ^ a b c Pengilly, Adam (15 October 2022). "He changed lives in The Everest, but Williams' real triumph is saving them in Ukraine". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  22. ^ a b c Nicolussi, Christian (15 October 2022). "'It's all been amazing': Little-known trainer puts his name up in lights". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  23. ^ "The Everest Results". Punters.com.au. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Which horses are in The Everest 2023? Updated field, odds and prize money as Giga Kick ruled out". www.sportingnews.com. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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