Preparing for The Everest 2022

So, what is the Everest? It is an annual flat horse race run over turf for thoroughbred horses. The Royal Randwick racecourse provides the track where the race distance is 1,200 metres and run right-handed round the circuit. The race is a ‘weight for age’ race that is a form of handicapping with the horse carrying a set weight based on the race distance, time of year and the age of the horse and its sex. Normally, you will see weight for age races falling within a Group One race category, however, the Everest is not yet qualified as a group race and falls under a special conditions class race. The race itself will feature a maximum field of no more than twelve horses being placed in the starting gates.

Entry of the horse by an owner may seem rather strange and bizarre compared to the normal methods. A place in the starting gate can be purchased for the princely sum of AUS $600,000. The purchaser of the starting berth does not necessarily have to be a horse racing owner. At the point of purchase the horse that will be entered into the race can remain anonymous. At the time of writing this article the line-up for the race has not been fully confirmed. Once a place is secured the holder of the stall in the starting gates can sell it, strike a deal with a racehorse owner to share the starter, contract, lease, or have the right to race their own horse. So, what is all the fuss about? Well, having outlined the main contributing factors to the race, the winner of the Everest 2021 pocketed a whopping AUS $6,2 million from a total prize purse of AUS $15 million!

A Short History of The Everest

The Everest 2017

The inaugural race saw a purse of around AUS $10 million and a crowd of 33,500 spectators swelling the stands and railings at the Royal Randwick. On its first outing, the Everest was to become the biggest betting race of the Australian racing calendar, completely outstripping the Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup.

The race was won by a horse named Redzel, a five-year-old gelding owned by the Triple Crown Syndicate. On Saturday 14th August, Redzel burst ahead of the field 150 metres out and managed to hold on from the pre-race favourite Vega Magic by 0.8 lengths. Following in behind Vega Magic were Brave Smash and Chautauqua.

Redzel went on to make career earnings of approximately AUS $16.5 million, largely as a reslt of him winning of the race again the following year. Redzel also won major Grade One races including the Doomben 10000 at Brisbane Racing Club, the Concorde Stakes three years in a row from 2017 and the Darley Classic held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.

Riding Redzel was jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who today is a 41-year-old who has had a successful career. He has won the Everest on three occasions, setting the record for most number of wins by a jockey. Other notable successes in Australia by McEvoy include three wins at the Melbourne Cup in 2000, 2016 and 2018 as well as the Golden Slipper in 2011. McEvoy also jockeyed on behalf of Godolphin in Europe and has won the St Ledger Stakes. His record has provided him with a place in the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

The slot holder providing Redzel with the opportunity to race was James Harron. A great piece of business to link up with the Triple Crown Syndicate and have Redzel sprint to victory.

The Everest 2018

Already history and new records were being created in the 2018 Everest. Six-year-old Redzel won the second Everest running and was again mounted by Kerrin McEvoy. The record for Redzel remains, prior to the forthcoming 2022 Everest. Unsurprisingly, it was also the same owner and trainer combination as the prior year, setting the mantle as the most successful.

Another set record remains today, the win by Redzel was the slowest run race. Redzel finished and won the race almost three seconds slower than any other Everest, however it was hampered by inclement weather and heavy racing conditions. During the race and similar to the year before, Redzel went to the front early on and managed to maintain a lead through until the finish. Not far behind in second place was Trapeze Artist with a third-place finish for Osborne Bulls.

The Everest 2019

Redzel ran again in 2019 but it was one sprint too far for the seven-year-old gelding as he finished eighth. It was time for new blood and new blood it was, as three-year-old colt Yes Yes Yes, took the lead 100 metres out and held on from a late challenge by half a length. Second place went to Santa Ana Lane and Trekking followed in third.

Glen Boss was the successful jockey that day, also famously known for winning three consecutive Melbourne Cups on Makybe Diva between 2003 and 2005. Yes Yes Yes really lived up to his name, running the fastest Everest finishing time at 1 minute and 7.32 seconds. The winning trainer and owner was Chris Waller and the Coolmore Stud respectively.

The Everest 2020

Kerrin McEvoy was once again setting the pace for his third Everest win as a jockey. This time he was riding five-year-old grey gelding Classique Legend, who was the pre-race favourite. There was a quick start to the race with Eduardo and Nature Strip setting the pace only to finish 11th and 7th respectively. Trained by Les Bridge and owned by Boniface Ho, Classique Legend took control of the race and romped home 2,5 lengths clear of Bivouac mounted by Glen Boss and the third placed Gytrash.

The Everest 2021

A closely contested race by the finish line saw Chris Waller equal Peter and Paul Snowdon’s two-time trainer winner record at the Everest. This time a horse owned by RAE Lyons pipped the other horses at the finishing post and set the record as the oldest horse to win the Everest at seven years of age. Nature Strip led for most of the race and looked comfortable until late surges from Masked Crusader and Eduardo tested his resolve. Nature Strip was ridden by James McDonald.

The Everest 2022

The slot holders have been settled subject to any further business arrangements taking place by their owners. The likes of Boniface Ho, Coolmore, James Harron and Godolphin have their slots confirmed but as of the time of writing, have not confirmed their horses that will run the Everest. Four horses are known to be selected as starters. Chris Waller can become the most successful trainer if Nature Strip can win for a second year running. Masked Crusader finished strongly last year coming second and is entered again by Max Whitby and Neil Werret. Yulong has entered Eduardo and the final horse known to be racing is Mazu, a three-year-old gelding that recently won the Doomben 10000 on heavy ground and recording his sixth straight win. One to watch perhaps?

Now you are more familiar with the Everest we hope you will enjoy its sixth run on 15 October 2022. Stay tuned with us for all the latest odds and runners as the final horses are selected to complete the field. If you do decide to make a bet on the Everest you should note horse racing can be unpredictable and this race is often won by small margins. We are firmly committed to the principles of safer gambling. If you believe you have an issue with betting you can always contact gambleaware.co.uk for free advice and support.