EXCLUSIVE: The Golden Eagle, The Shorts set to be awarded Group 1 status

Sydney’s $10m Golden Eagle and one of the key The Everest lead-up races will gain Group 1 status in a bold new reshaping of the Australian racing landscape.

Sydney’s $10m The Golden Eagle and one of the key The Everest lead-up races are set to be elevated to Group 1 status in a bold new reshaping of the Australian racing landscape.

High-placed sources have told Racenet that November’s Golden Eagle and the Group 2 The Shorts, to be raced at Royal Randwick on Saturday with The Everest contenders showcasing their credentials, will soon become Group 1 races.

It is understood there has been agreement and the announcement is likely to be made sooner rather than later.

There are other Sydney races that could be elevated to Group 1 status as part of sweeping announcements which will also see The Everest and Victoria’s All-Star Mile become Group 1s.

The Everest is set to gain Group 1 status in time for this year's event.

EXCLUSIVE via @bendorries76https://t.co/hnYHmAPFyJ

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 10, 2024

• The Origin invite that ended racing’s cold war

Racenet revealed on September 10 that The $20m Everest was set to become a Group 1 and there was a golden chance it would happen before the running of the lucrative race next month.

The Golden Eagle, raced over 1500m for four-year-olds at set weights conditions at Rosehill Gardens in November, is one of the new headline acts in the fresh suite of races set to be elevated to Group 1s.

The Everest was first raced in 2017 and the Golden Eagle came onto the scene two years later.

It has been won by stars such as I Wish I Win, I’m Thunderstruck and Japanese raider Obamburumai.

IT'S THE JAPANESE! 🇯🇵

OBAMBURUMAI WINS THE GOLDEN EAGLE! 🦅#オオバンブルマイ@[e-mail]/xXIVdAwNg4

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 4, 2023

• ‘It is very close’: The Everest to get Group 1 status this year

The elevation of The Shorts to Group 1 status would give even more snap and crackle to one of the key lead-ups to the $20m The Everest.

The new Group 1 races are set to soar thanks to increased co-operation between Racing NSW Peter V’landys and new Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison.

The racing cold war between Victoria and New South Wales has ended and the states are now working in almost unprecedented harmony.

Sources say that a recent Racing Australia meeting was a breath of fresh air, compared to many meetings in the past where there has been acrimony.

Originally published as EXCLUSIVE: The Golden Eagle, The Shorts set to be awarded Group 1 status