The Everest: Thousands head down to Royal Randwick to bring Sydney back

A classic race, newfound freedom and a legendary song - that is how Sydney celebrated at The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

When the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline blasted over the speakers at Royal Randwick after The Everest’s flagship race on Saturday, it signalled one thing. Sydney is back, baby.

A long-time stadium sing-a-long for soccer fans, the 1969 hit has found renewed popularity as an impromptu freedom anthem at sporting events following pandemic lockdowns.

The song was belted out by thousands at Euro 2020 soccer matches held earlier this year while American football fans went viral last month after joining in a massive rendition at a Penn State game.

Picked by the Australian Turf Club due to its intergenerational appeal, the tune helped Sydney cap off the ­biggest celebration it has had in four months.

Punters in the general admission section at Royal Randwick go crazy after backing the winner at The Everest. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The crowd celebrates at The Everest race day at Royal Randwick. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In scenes impossible to fathom just a week ago, more than 10,000 Sydneysiders returned to the track for the world’s richest race on turf at Royal Randwick, with pre-race favourite Nature Strip winning the main event for a cool $6.2m.

Punters were met with extra precautions under post-lockdown NSW, including additional gates and turnstiles where they were obliged to QR check-in to the event before having their vaccination status checked.

While movement wasn’t limited inside the event, dedicated zones were set up between the owners, members and general admission to prevent overcrowding.

Between Sky Racing and Channel 7, the day was broadcast to more than 60 countries, with viewer numbers expected in the tens of millions.

For the first time, The Everest was also broadcast live in Hong Kong, the hometown of businessman Bon Ho.

Jockey James McDonald on Nature Strip after winning The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Ho is the owner of 2020 ­Everest winner Classique Legend, who ran fifth on Saturday.

More detailed data from Channel 7 reveals over a million Australians tuned in to The Everest and Melbourne’s Caulfield Cup throughout the day.

The total reach – or the number of viewers who watched a minute or more of coverage across the day – came in at 1,272,102 which is up five per cent from last year. The average viewership across the 5.5 hours of racing coverage was 240,556 across the country.

Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley said fully vaxxed punters rocked up prepared to celebrate the end of lockdown.

“Royal Randwick was shining with a safe but vibrant celebration of racing at its very best and at a world-class standard,” Mr Barkley told The Daily Telegraph.