In pictures: The Everest kicks into party mode
More than 45,000 flocked to Sydney’s premier racetrack for this year’s running of The Everest, with some their to bet and some to party.
NSW
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It was standing room only at Royal Randwick yesterday – which was lucky, as the world’s richest turf race The Everest brought the capacity crowd to its feet.
More than 45,000 flocked to Sydney’s premier racetrack, a capacity crowd for the event that is now in its seventh year.
Think About It added his name to the history books with a stunnng win in the seventh edition of the race.
“That is unbelievable. They both (Think About It and Private Eye) ran terrific,” Pride said, admitting he thought the only danger to his pair was I Wish I Win, who split his pair.
Think About It’s jockey, Sam Clipperton, said he was blown away.
“This stuff doesn’t happen. It just went too perfect … I guess that’s what very good horses do. I’m just so privileged to be in a position of riding this horse.”
Socialities, television stars and models rubbed shoulders with regular punters.
Model Erin Holland stunned in blue – the colour theme of the 2023 event – as did racing royalty Kate Waterhouse, while TV host Lucia Hawley topped off her all-white ensemble with a baby blue headband.
“Friends of the Everest” Duncan James and Evelyn Ellis, the couple who stole Aussie hearts on Married At First Sight, followed the theme with a blue suit and hat respectively, while Home and Away heart-throb Matt Evans (aka Theo) rocked a pink suit with a blue tie. Sydney identity John Ibrahim also stuck to the theme with an all-blue suit and tie.
“It truly is the most incredible day at Royal Randwick – the fashion, the food, friends and epic fun. I adore the Everest,” Holland said.
“It’s my first day back on track this spring and I’m immediately reminded of how much I love the races. So many people have flocked to the Sydney Everest Carnival this year and I’m totally swept away in the epic vibe of today.”
Australian Turf Club spokesman Brett Devine said there’d been a concerted effort to attract a younger crowd to this year’s event.
“We’ve had a different focus this year. We’ve been trying to drive young people to this event. They are attracted by something that’s new and exciting,” he said.
“It’s new, it’s bold, it’s brash, the energy is electric, it’s second to none”.
Friends Anna Kennedy, from Scotland, Emma Stanley from Adelaide and Emma Hume from Melbourne were among many who travelled to be a part of the Sydney action.
A Victoria Racing Club member, Ms Hume said: “I flew up to Sydney just for (the) day – I come every year.”
or Ms Kennedy, who landed in Australia three weeks ago, attending The Everest was a “wonderful experience … it’s my first time attending a racing event ever”.
Before the big race – won by favourite Think About It – the crowd sang the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline.
“What started on a whim has now become a tradition. It’s a lot of fun and the crowd love it,” the ATC’s general manager of AV broadcast Mick James said.
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