Your Everest questions answered
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
How much is it worth?
The prize fund is Aus $10 million (US$7.8, GB £5.9 & Euro €6.6) with the winning connections pocketing $5.8m.
When and where will it be run?
Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse at 4.15pm local time on Saturday 14 October (1.15am in New York, 6.15am in London and 1.15pm in Beijing)
What’s the distance and surface?
1200 metres (or six furlongs) on grass.
Who’s funding it?
The bulk of prizemoney is being put up by 12 ‘slot holders’, who have each contributed $600,000 this year – and given a three year commitment.
Who can be slot holders?
Anybody or company can be a slot holder, with individuals and companies represented this year.
How have the runners been chosen?
Slot holders don’t have to own horses, in fact only two have this connection. Otherwise a slot holders can sell their spot, or do a deal that involves a share in prizemoney or potential stud rights.
Where’s the rest of the money coming from?
The other $2.8 million is to be made up from sponsorship, increased betting turnover and media rights.
What’s different from The Pegasus ran at Gulfstream in January?
Apart from the distance and surface, the main difference is that slot holders have had to commit for three years.
She Will Reign
COMMENT Crowned last year’s champion two year-old after a convincing win in the Golden Slipper, this filly returned with a last to first swooping victory against older horses. One of the favourites.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bought as a $20,000 yearling at the Inglis Classic sale. By Manhatten Rain x Courgette (Charge Forward).
OWNER This filly is the pin up girl for her syndicators Darby Racing. There are more than 20 registered owners, who come from all walks of life.
SLOT HOLDER Mr Zhang Yuesheng, a wealthy Chinese industrialist with a passion for racing. Mr Zhang’s company YuLong have invested in bloodstock around the world.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 51kg, Barrier 2
Vega Magic
COMMENT Vega Magic had a remarkable career in Perth before joining the Lindsay Park team. The Group 1 winning gelding monstered his way to victory in the $1 million Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. It made him one of the favourites for The Everest.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bred by former leading Perth trainer George Daly and his brother Wally. By Lope de Vega x Admirable (Magic Albert). The first Australian bred Group 1 winner for his sire.
OWNER The gelding is owned by Perth brothers George and Wally Daly.
SLOT HOLDER Sydney based businessman Max Whitby has raced many successful gallopers including Cox Plate winner and now successful stallion Savabeel.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 10
Redkirk Warrior
COMMENT Redkirk Warrior became the first horse in 100 years to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap first up from a spell when he won the $1.25 million sprint at Flemington.
More info
BREEDING SALES Originally purchased for 22,000 Guineas from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in the U.K, Redkirk Warrior is by Notnowcato and out of Flag (Selkirk).
OWNER Hong Kong based Jenny Tam Yuk-Ching, who bought him with her local Derby in mind.
SLOT HOLDER Star Entertainment Group operates a number of casinos in Australia, including the Star Sydney.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 3
English
COMMENT Gai Waterhouse’s star sprinter boasts a brilliant record at Randwick including a Group 1 victory in the All Aged Stakes.
More info
BREEDING SALES A homebred for one of Australia’s most respected studs, Newhaven Park. English is by Encosta De Lago x Court (Anabaa)
OWNER The Kelly family have been breeding champions at Newhaven Park for generations including Golden Slipper winners Prowl, Burst, Vivarchi & John’s Hope.
SLOT HOLDER TAB Racing, the tote operator in Sydney are headline sponsors as well as controlling this slot.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 56.5kg, Barrier 12
Houtzen
COMMENT Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen is the daughter of boom sire I Am Invincible. The 3yo filly has a great turn of foot.
More info
BREEDING SALES A $105,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. By I Am Invincible x Set To Unleash (Reset).
OWNER Trainer Toby Edmonds, who purchased Houtzen from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, races this filly with a bunch of local and loyal owners including Aquis farm and Raffles Racing.
SLOT HOLDER Aquis is owned by the Hong Kong-based Fung family. Aquis Chairman Tony Fung has over 40 years’ experience in global financial services and investment, including being an active investor in Australia.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 51kg, Barrier 1
Tulip
COMMENT Golden slipper place-getter Tulip was one of the leading fillies of her two-year-old year winning the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes over 1200m and finishing third in the Slipper and fourth in the Blue Diamond.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bought at the NZB Premiere Yearling Sale by BBA Ireland and Lindsay Park Racing for $NZB400,000. By Pierro x Musidora (Rock Of Gibraltar).
OWNER Tulip races in the colours of Coolmore, and is owned in partnership by the international operation with Australian stud principal Tom Magnier and long-term stud representative Michael Kirwan, as well as stud associates J W Hillier & G P Heffernan.
SLOT HOLDER Irish racing empire Coolmore were one of the first to buy a slot. In Australia they are famous for being the home of Danehill and his son Fastnet Rock, along with many more.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 51kg, Barrier 11
Chautauqua
COMMENT Rated the world’s best sprinter, he’s a six-time Group 1 winner. The first horse to win three T.J. Smith sprint over the Everest course and distance.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bred by the Throsby family and passed in for $300,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. By Encosta de Lago and out of the dual Group 1 winning juvenile Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter).
OWNER The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes trained gelding races for the Rupert Legh, the Throsby family and other clients of the Hawkes stable.
SLOT HOLDER Greg Ingham, the son of Australian Racing Hall of Fame owner Jack Ingham. The Inghams are arguably Australia’s most successful racing family. The slot is being managed by Andrew Williams Bloodstock.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 5
Redzel
COMMENT Redzel is the winner of his last four starts, which includes a Group 1 victory in the James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 at Doomben. Has two recent wins at Randwick to his name.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bought for $120,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. By Snitzel x Millrich (Rubiton).
OWNER A group of excited racing enthusiasts forms this gelding’s ownership, campaigned under the Triple Crown Syndications racing silks.
SLOT HOLDER Irish agent James Harron has enjoyed many highs in Australia, purchasing colts like Foxwedge, Wandjina, Vancouver and Capitalist.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 4
Deploy
COMMENT Improving sprinter who has run back-to-back track records at Randwick and Rosehill over 1300m and 1200m in his last two performances.
More info
BREEDING SALES Deploy made $450,000 at the Australian Inglis Easter Yealing Sale. The gelding is by Fastnet Rock x Crimson Reign (Red Ransom).
OWNER Deploy is raced by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds. The Cornish family who bred him at Torryburn Stud retained a percentage alongside David Raphael and Matthew Ennis.
SLOT HOLDER Sydney’s top trainer Chris Waller bought a slot but didn’t have a horse to run.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 7
Clearly Innocent
COMMENT Winter carnival star Clearly Innocent showed speed and stamina when taking home the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Doomben. Recently finished third in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick.
More info
BREEDING SALES Homebred at Cressfield stud in the Hunter Valley. By Not a Single Doubt x No Penalty (Zabeel).
OWNER Finance entreprenuer Bruce Neill is a regular at sales across the globe. His Cressfield Stud have topped the averages at Inglis Easter numerous times.
SLOT HOLDER Damion Flower was taken by the ‘racing bug’ at an early age, and his success in recent years as an owner has only inflamed the passion. He raced champion sire Snitzel.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 6
Brave Smash
COMMENT Brave Smash was best known as a miler in his early career in Japan. Since joining the Darren Weir camp in Australia he has been reborn as a promising sprinter.
More info
BREEDING SALES Japanese-bred who was purchased and syndicated by Australian Bloodstock. By Tosen Phantom x Tosen Smash (Tokai Teio).
OWNER Australian Bloodstock Directors Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett have enjoyed success with international gallopers such as Protectionist winning the 2014 Melbourne Cup. An excited group of individuals has joined the ownership of this Japanese racing entire.
SLOT HOLDER The Australian Turf Club owns all of Sydney’s four racetracks.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 9
Fell Swoop
COMMENT Canberra sprinter Fell Swoop has won 9 of his 23 starts and has been placed five times at Group 1 level, including the Darley Classic, Manikato Stakes, TJ Smith Stakes and the Oakleigh Plate.
More info
BREEDING SALES Bought for $45,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. By Not A Single Doubt x Touched in Flight (Fasliyev).
OWNER A former politician, public servants, landscapers, and plumbers are all among the group of largely Canberran owners of Fell Swoop.
SLOT HOLDER Auctioneers William Inglis & Son are one of the most famous names in Australian racing. This year they celebrate their 150th anniversary.
RACE WEIGHT/BARRIER 58.5kg, Barrier 8
Related
