King’s seal of approval for new jewel in the crown of $30m Everest day

There will be a royal endorsement for The Everest raceday at Randwick in October after Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys met with King Charles III at Royal Ascot on Friday and got approval to name a race in His Majesty’s honour.

V’landys showed the King the program for Royal Randwick on October 14, which will be highlighted by the world’s richest sprint, The Everest, with prizemoney for the race lifted to an eye-watering $20 million, as reported last month by this masthead.

Giga Kick wins the 2022 Everest at a packed Royal Randwick.Credit: Getty

The other main feature will be the first race named in honour of the new monarch, the King Charles III Stakes to be run over 1600m, worth $5 million.

“The King was very chuffed that we have named a feature race after him on Everest Day,” V’landys said. “He has certainly got the racing bug after having a winner at Royal Ascot. I’m very confident after talking to him that he will come to the race in the next few years.”

Racing NSW announced the changes at a function in London on Sunday morning (AEST) with Everest day to carry more than $30 million in prizemoney and the addition of several new races to the spring.

There will be almost three months of multimillion-dollar races in Sydney from September to December with Everest day to be the focal point.

King Charles II and Queen Camilla watch their horse Desert Hero win at Ascot Racecourse on Friday (AEST).Credit: Getty

The Everest program includes the $2 million Kosciuszko, a slot race for NSW country-trained horses; the $2 million Sydney Stakes, a consolation race for The Everest; and the $1 million Silver Eagle, for four-year-olds.

The King Charles III Stakes will carry group 1 status from the George Main Stakes, which is traditionally in September. It has been replaced by another $1 million race, the 7 Stakes, also at weight-for-age at Randwick on September 16.

“The King Charles III Stakes creates a new level of excitement for the Sydney Everest Carnival, with a feature open-age mile race boosting an already mouth-watering Everest Day meeting” Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said.

“It is also befitting for Royal Randwick to have a feature race in spring named in honour of His Majesty, to complement the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in autumn, with Royal Randwick being Australia’s only Royal Racecourse”

Racing NSW chief Peter V’landys during a trip to Royal Ascot last year.Credit: Getty

Racing NSW continues to add races to its spring schedule with the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes, named in honour of the late former Racing NSW chairman, to be run over 1400m at Rosehill on October 7. It is designed to be lead-up to the King Charles seven days out from the group 1.

The Everest continues to be a juggernaut of the sport just six years since its first running, when it was Australia’s richest race at $10 million.

“At $20 million of prizemoney, The TAB Everest is now the second richest race in the world and the richest race on turf,” Balding said.

“This further increase in prizemoney is not only recognition of The TAB Everest as being the highest rated race in Australia, but also of the success this event has created in flow on benefits throughout the entire NSW thoroughbred industry for the whole of the year. Since its inaugural running in 2017, The TAB Everest has consistently rated as the highest or equal highest sprint race in the world.”

Giga Kick’s trainer Clayton Douglas and jockey Craig Williams with The Everest trophy last October.Credit: Getty

Racing NSW has also added an extra meeting to its spring calendar because of the extra Saturday in October this year, so the $10 million Golden Eagle will remain on Victoria Derby day.

It means the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude will be the feature of the meeting at Randwick on October 21, with the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes and the $2 million Invitation to have joint top billing at Randwick on October 28, Cox Plate day.

The government and Destination NSW have joined in promoting the racing carnival with Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris pointing to benefits across Sydney.

“Racing makes a significant contribution to the NSW economy. Last year, more than 46,000 people
attended The Everest at Royal Randwick and spent money at restaurants, pubs and hotels across the city,” Harris said.

“The increased prizemoney for The Everest and the addition of the King Charles III race will create an even bigger and better event this year, with positive flow-on effects for the 50,000 people directly and indirectly employed in the NSW racing industry.”

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