Trainer Annabel Neasham no stranger to royal treatment as she seeks to win the 2024 The Everest and King Charles III Stakes

Group 1 trainer Annabel Neasham had more than a brush with royalty long before attempting to win the race named in the monarch’s honour on The Everest day at Royal Randwick.

Group 1 trainer Annabel Neasham had more than a brush with royalty long before attempting to win the race named in the monarch’s honour on The Everest day at Royal Randwick.

Neasham, who trains with Rob Archibald, is in line to chase a massive feature race double this Saturday with top contenders in the $20 million TAB Everest and Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

There’s a chance it all unfolds with King Charles on course as part of a highly-anticipated trip Australian tour this month.

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But meeting the royals would be nothing new for Neasham.

She spent time working in breeding and breaking at Royal Stud at Sandringham before moving to Australia to begin her training career.

“They were all very lovely,” Neasham revealed.

“It was probably nine or 10 years ago and probably a year before I moved to Australia.

“She (Queen Elizabeth) would come to look at them when she was there – you could tell when she was there, it was in her home.

“It was her hobby and passion, loved horses and racing but it was probably the horse she really loved.”

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Neasham’s own love of horses has taken her around the globe with the 32-year-old competing regular on Australia’s biggest stages.

She will have contenders in four of the biggest races on the program with Amelia’s Jewel and My Oberon (King Charles III Stakes), Lady Laguna (Sydney Stakes) as well as Ostraka and Port Lockroy (Silver Eagle) also set to line up.

Winning The Everest with top sprinter Sunshine In Paris will be top of Neasham’s wish list.

A minor setback prevented Sunshine In Paris from lining up in The Everest 12 months ago but the talented daughter of Invader has been trained to the minute to be peaking in this year’s sprint feature.

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Everything has gone to plan in the lead up for the $9.50 chance.

“To win these big race you have to have a really smooth preparation because there is not much between them,“ Neasham said.

“You can make a case for all of the horses in the race so to have a smooth preparation is pretty key.

“When you get setbacks it makes it difficult but we have been really happy with her and everything has gone to plan.

“All her gallops have been good and she has really come on in her coat.”

Talented duo Amelia’s Jewel and My Oberon are both $18 contenders as they look to do battle with Australian Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni ($2) in the King Charles III Stakes.

My Oberon finished third in the same race last year while Amelia’s Jewel steps up to a mile after a pair of seconds over 1400m.

Saturday’s King Charles III Stakes looms as a gripping tactical clash between mighty mares Pride Of Jenni and Fangirl. Champion jockey Glen Boss reveals the race plan that James McDonald must employ for Fangirl to emerge victorious. 👇https://t.co/fcj8QB259B

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“Amelia’s Jewel is certainly looking for the mile now,” Neasham said.

“Tommy Berry felt that after her last run and she is probably a horse that will suit a high pressure race. The more pressure in the race, the better for her.

“My Oberon is a very honest horse.

“He has actually only had one win in the country but has won about $2 million in prizemoney but he is always there or thereabouts.

“He was second in a Doncaster, third in this race last year so he is deserved of a Group 1 win.”

Nash Rawiller rides My Oberon while Berry pilots Amelia’s Jewel and Sunshine In Paris.

Originally published as Trainer Annabel Neasham no stranger to royal treatment as she seeks to win the 2024 The Everest and King Charles III Stakes