Yulong confirms gun three-year-old Growing Empire will run in The Everest

Manikato Stakes runner-up Growing Empire has given trainer Ciaron Maher his third starter in the world’s most lucrative sprint event at Royal Randwick next week.

Growing Empire will line up in The Everest. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Leading trainer Ciaron Maher will have three contenders in the $20m The TAB Everest (1200m) after gun three-year-old Growing Empire was locked in by Yulong for the richest race on turf at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

Maher had never had an Everest runner before this year but now boasts an imposing hand with Growing Empire joining bombproof sprinter Bella Nipotina and in-form mare I Am Me.

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Growing Empire is one of the most exciting three-year-olds in the country after putting together a string of brilliant wins in Melbourne before going down narrowly to Southport Tycoon in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley last start.

The son of Zoustar was one of several contenders for Yulong’s slot and was locked in Tuesday morning by the racing and breeding powerhouse.

“Growing Empire is a hugely exciting colt for Mr Zhang and the whole Yulong team, he’s extremely talented with a blistering turn of foot” Yulong General Manager Vin Cox said.

“On his last start, he showed us he is a true Group 1 competitor. Three-year-olds have an outstanding record in The Everest and Growing Empire has every chance to build on that success.”

Three-time The Everest-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride Growing Empire.

Growing Empire (inside) was runner-up in the Manikato Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

McEvoy won the first two The Everests on the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel (2017/18) and also scored aboard Les Bridge’s Classique Legend (2020).

Two three-year-olds have won The Everest with Giga Kick (2022) and Yes Yes Yes (2019) saluting with the light weight of 53kg.

Growing Empire is the fourth three-year-old likely to line up in this year’s main event with Traffic Warden (Godolphin) and Lady Of Camelot (James Harron) already securing slots while Storm Boy (Coolmore) is still to be officially confirmed.

Bookies rate Growing Empire as a $7 third elect for The Everest with last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win ($5) shading Bella Nipotina ($6) at the top of the market.

Originally published as Yulong confirms gun three-year-old Growing Empire will run in The Everest