The Everest: Bella Nipotina, an “iron lady of racing” to run her 55th career race

Next week, seven-year-old sprinter Bella Nipotina will take the field for the $20 million TAB Everest. She will be the oldest horse on the field, but she will also be hard to beat. WATCH this week’s episode of The Race.

Ray Thomas

less than 2 min read

October 11, 2024 - 8:00AM

NSW

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Meet the oldest horse in the field for the $20 million TAB Everest at Royal Randwick next week, who has contested more races than any of her rivals.

The seven-year-old sprinter Bella Nipotina is at an age when most mares have been retired to stud and The Everest will be her 55th career start.

But Bella Nipotina is racing in the best form of her career and is challenging for favouritism for the world’s richest race on turf.

Pictured at the Ciaron Maher stables near Moss Vale is 2024 Everest runner Bella Nipotina with rider Saige Garrod. Picture: Richard Dobson

Craig Williams, Bella Nipotina’s regular jockey, described the mare as an “iron lady of racing”.

“With the way (trainer) Ciaron Maher has managed her, she’s matured into the best possible version of herself,’’ Williams said.

“When I look at her and when I’m riding her, she’s just got bigger and more powerful which is quite remarkable.

“She is an ‘iron lady’ of racing and she will take a lot of beating in The Everest.’’

If Bella Nipotina can win The Everest, it will take her career earnings to more than $18.2 million, third in the all-time rankings behind champions Winx ($26.4 million) and Nature Strip ($20.7 million).

Bella Nipotina has been referred to as an ‘iron lady’ of racing. Picture: Richard Dobson

With The Everest being afforded Group 1 status this week, there is heightened interest in the premier Randwick sprint with ticket sales well up on last year when Everest Day attracted a record crowd of 46,498.

The general admission tickets sales for The Everest are up more than 20 per cent on last year and nearly a third of all tickets sold so far are for racegoers under 24 years of age.

Everest Day tickets can still be purchased for just $40 at theraces.com.au.