The Everest 2024: Who attended, what they wore and what everyone was talking about
There was one place to be on Saturday: The track. CEOs, celebs, sports stars and media execs descended on Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Everest, the best racing event of the year.
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There was one place to be on Saturday: The track. CEOs, celebs, sports stars and media execs descended on Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Everest, the best racing event of the year.
TALK OF THE TOWN
But why some glum faces? Network Nine and the scathing investigation results released this week put a dampener on the moods of the bevy of stars from the media stable.
Nine chair Catherine West was a last-minute scratching days after revealing the culture review findings.
Despite the workplace turmoil, Today EP Kendall Bora, Jayne Azzopardi, Sophie Walsh, Clint Stanaway and Ben Fordham made an appearance.
Across the track there was also chatter about how some high-profile people critical of the network aren’t entirely innocent themselves.
PUNTING OVER POLLING
The usual crowd of Labor ministers and MPs were in the Grand Ballroom: Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig, Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis, Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill and Auburn MP Sophie Cotsis were all enjoying a packed Everest day.
Health Minister Ryan Park was spotted in the Director’s Room.
A handful of Nationals MPs were also enjoying the seafood buffet, including leader Dugald Saunders, who had three horses from his Dubbo electorate running at Randwick.
Also in the Grand Ballroom were Attorney-General Michael Daley and Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty.
It was a Liberal-free zone as MPs staffed booths for three by-elections — in Pittwater, Epping and Hornsby — but former NSW ministers Brad Hazzard and David Elliott both wisely chose punting over polling.
BEST DRESSED
While many sartorially savvy racegoers brought their fashion A game, a few women, including Sonia Kruger, stood out.
The Channel 7 personality looked resplendent in a white, structured Toni Maticevski dress, which she paired with a baby blue Prada headband.
“I’d love to say it all happened in about five minutes, but a lot of thought goes into making it look effortless,” TV’s golden girl said.
“The Everest is the biggest day on the racing calendar, so it’s been great to see so many punters here at Randwick dressing for the occasion.”
Over in the members enclosure, fashion powerhouse Nicky Zimmermann was a showstopper in a new season polkadot number from her own collection. She paired it with green cat-eye sunglasses.
VIPS
The room to be in was the Director’s Lounge, where guests were invited by horse racing and rugby league boss Peter V’landys.
It was a closed-door mix of media executives, TV personalities, sports administrators and corporates.
From News Corp Australia, publisher of this website, there was executive chairman Michael Miller, CEO of Sky News Australia Paul Whittaker, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and Vogue editorial director Edwina McCann, as well a number of senior editors.
From Nine there was managing director of publishing Tory Maguire, Financial Review editor in chief James Chessell and 2GB host Ben Fordham.
A surprise appearance was The Block host Scott Cam, who was overheard revealing he is an avid Daily Telegraph reader.
Even Victorian loyalists were getting in on the fun.
In a moment of cross-code harmony, AFL boss Andrew Dillon was spotted posing up for a photo with V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Earlier, ex AFL boss turned TAB supremo Gill McLachlan was in the suite.
GUESS WHO DON’T SUE
Who has been stoking the rumour about their own chances to take on a job as a key editor in the Nine stable?
MOST RANDOM ATTENDEE
John Ibrahim made an appearance at The Everest yesterday, and seems to be in good spirits. MIA was his wife, Sarah Budge and baby son.
BALLROOM BASH
Irish Crooner Ronan Keating — who famously wowed the Royal Randwick crowd in 2016 with a performance at the Championships — was spotted dining in the Grand Ballroom.
He was seated at a table with Carla Zampatti CEO Alex Schuman and his partner, star lawyer Rebecca Lebehrz.
KEEPING TABS
Gill McLachlan scurried back from V’landys’ Director’s Room to his own TAB marquee.
It was, of course, the TAB slot that won the big race, allowing McLachlan to play Santa and share $1m in prizemoney with punters who placed bets.
Joining him in the marquee was Venues NSW chair David Gallop.
Racing wags were also out in force including Monica Cummings, Elyse Zhara and Sheridan Paine.
RACING ROYALTY SAYS SYDNEY WINS
When it comes to Spring Racing, racing royalty Kate Waterhouse believes Sydney takes the cake.
“It has such a buzz today,” Waterhouse said.
“Today we have Group 1 racing, amazing fashion, the buzz of the King maybe turning up … it has been amazing.
“Spring racing in general is such an exciting time of the year.
“But I feel like when it comes to Sydney you can be at the beach in Bondi in the morning then within 10 minutes be at Randwick and have a great day out at the track.
“I love it. There is a lot of energy around this day.”
Waterhouse opted to wear well-known Aussie designer.
“I am wearing a Toni Maticevski dress,” she said.
“I know there is a blue theme, so I added blue within my jewellery.
THE NAYSAYERS PROVEN WRONG
Up until now, Spring racing was seen as Victoria’s opportunity to shine, while the big Sydney events were left for the autumn.
Not any more.
While ordinarily a new race takes many years to gain momentum when it comes to betting, The Everest has become an anomaly, resulting in it becoming the fourth largest turnover race of the year.
It flies in the face of sceptics who, when the event was founded seven years ago, said it wouldn’t work.
“One of the things we always want to do is prove people wrong and I think we have proven them wrong here big time,” racing boss V’Landys said.
“There’s a waiting list already for next year of people wanting to come to The Everest.
“It’s a sell-out, we have never had a sell-out at the races before, so I think it will continue to grow and grow and grow and be one of the major events in Australia.”
WOMEN WOMEN WOMEN
V’landys wanted more young women to attend the races and he has succeeded, with women paying for more than half of the tickets sold for the Everest Carnival.
“I think this is a new generation’s race,” he said.
“The majority of our audience here today is the age of 35. It is their generational race. It is their race.
“If you walk out there today you will be lucky to find someone over the age of 45.”
GRIEVING ACTOR RE-ENTERS THE SOCIAL SCENE
Australian actor Matt Nable revealed that this was one of the first social events he had been to since the tragic passing of his younger brother, Aaron, who lost his battle with MND in March.
“I’ve had a tough 12 months,” Nable said.
“My brother passed away with MND earlier this year. So I am just trying to gather around people and be around my community.”
The Last King of the Cross actor revealed he had been throwing himself into work, with two new shows set to be released next year.
“I did a thing called Apple Cider Vinegar … which comes out early next year and I also just finished an American film that will come out next year as well. I’ve been busy.”
However when it comes to tipping horses, Nable said he was an amateur.
“Somehow I just won the first race … I literally walked up and had a stab,” he said.
“I am the last person you should be asking for tips.
“I have no clue.”
Got any Everest gossip? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
Originally published as The Everest 2024: Who attended, what they wore and what everyone was talking about
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