The Everest 2026 Betting Odds & Race Preview

The 10th edition of the Group 1 The Everest ran on Saturday, October 17, 2026 offering a staggering $20 million in prize money and saw Ciaron Maher’s brilliant mare Tempted ($6.50) go one better than her second last year to turn the tables on the world’s highest-rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising. 

As the world’s richest race on turf, The Everest 2026 is the undisputed highlight of the Australian sprint racing season, attracting the nation’s fastest horses, premier trainers, elite jockeys, and millions of dollars in wagering interest. Run over 1200 metres at Sydney’s iconic Royal Randwick each October, the $20 million weight-for-age feature has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious horse races in the world since its debut in 2017. For punters chasing the latest The Everest odds 2026, following The Everest betting 2026 markets, or searching for expert insights on the field, The Everest remains one of the most heavily bet-on races of the spring carnival. With its unique slot-holder format, star-studded line-up of champion sprinters, and rich history of producing unforgettable finishes, The Everest offers an exciting betting spectacle unlike any other race on the Australian calendar. Stay up to date with the latest The Everest 2026 betting odds, market movers, runner announcements, form analysis, and race day betting opportunities right here at Ladbrokes.

2026 The Everest Results

The Everest 2026 race results and full finishing order will be available below once the race is run and won on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The 2026 The Everest results delivered one of the race’s greatest upsets as Tempted ($6.50) turned the tables on Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising to win the landmark 10th edition of the world’s richest race on turf at Randwick. Twelve months after finishing runner-up to the defending champion, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare produced a career-best performance under Chad Schofield, making full use of barrier one to secure a perfect run before holding off the fast-finishing $1.35 favourite by a half-neck, with Joliestar another neck away in third. The victory was Tempted’s 10th win from just 15 starts and extended her unbeaten streak since last year’s Everest defeat, with Maher praising the Godolphin mare for delivering at her absolute peak after patient management throughout her career. Schofield’s positive tactics proved decisive, forcing Ka Ying Rising to endure a tough run from a wide draw, while David Hayes was left lamenting barrier 11 after the Hong Kong champion charged home from a six-wide, no-cover trip. The result confirmed Tempted as Australia’s new sprint queen, pushing her earnings beyond $14 million and cementing her place among the elite sprinters of the modern era after conquering the world’s best horse on racing’s biggest sprint stage.

2026 The Everest Race Replay

2026 The Everest Odds & Finishing Order

The Everest 2026 betting featuring who’s who of Australian sprinters and The Everest odds will be provided below as soon as open followed by the official finishing order after the event.

Runners confirmed in The Everest field feature heavily in all-in odds, while early spring performers that are dominating lead-up races are also being kept safe in early markets.

Betting on The Everest 2026 is traditionally led by the year’s TJ Smith Stakes winner / placegetters and proven Group 1 sprint stars with good lead-up form.

The Everest Tips

The Everest betting tips favour proven Group 1 winning sprinters and those proven down under. The 1200m Randwick course gives the advantage to the locally trained contingent so the Aussie horses in the mix dominate The Everest tips each season.

That said, the 2025 The Everest results saw the first internationally trained champion with Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising ($2) saluting.

Because the event is a weight-for-age race the best of the season’s three-year-old stars also feature highly in betting tips for The Everest race. In 2019 Yes Yes Yes won The Everest as a three-year-old, while in 2022 the then undefeated Giga Kick became the second three-year-old The Everest winner with his upset victory.

Keeping an eye on lead-up sprints both in Australia and overseas including England’s Royal Ascot carnival during our winter are also key The Everest tips.

2026 The Everest Predictions & Best Bets

Our Ladbrokes’ insider The Everest 2026 betting tips and exotic race selections will be detailed in full below the week of the race so stay tuned for the sprinters to back and sack in the $20 million Sydney race feature.

The Everest is one of the newer horse races in Australia and also the richest turf race in the world with an unprecedented total of $20 million in prize money as of 2023, up from the original $10 million on offer in the inaugural edition.

It is now second in prize money to only the $28m Saudi Cup which is the world’s richest thoroughbred event and runs on a dirt track. It officially gained Group 1 status ahead of the 2024 edition with the autumn’s All-Star Mile also upgraded to elite level. 

It was run for the first time in 2017 on Saturday October 14 at Royal Randwick Racecourse – won by Redzel who successfully defended his title in 2018 – and the event now competes for attention with the Melbourne horse races around this time.

A weight-for-age sprint contested over 1200m, The Everest is the jewel of the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival crown. The $20 million prize pool sees it surpass the iconic Melbourne Cup as the richest Australian horse race.

The Everest is unlike any other race contested down under and entry into The Everest field comes at a colossal cost of $600,000 to connections. Only the richest racing horse owners are able to buy their way into the event and The Everest field has a capacity of 12 starters.

Open to both Australian-trained and international horses The Everest is fast becoming one of the most recognised and revered racing events held anywhere in the world.

During the spring racing season in Australia lead-up races into The Everest include Randwick’s Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) in September and the weight-for-age Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at the same track. In 2017 the inaugural The Everest winner Redzel backed-up from a victory in The Shorts. Twelve months later Redzel improved on a lead-up fifth in the Premier Stakes to become a dual The Everest champion.

The Everest history was made in 2019 when the Chris Waller-trained three-year-old Yes Yes Yes beat the older horses in a new track record time.

In 2020 The Everest winner Classique Legend improved on his sixth in the previous year’s edition to become the first favourite to win at $4.20 handing jockey Kerrin McEvoy his incredible third victory in four years.

In 2021 Chris Waller won his second The Everest when Nature Strip ($3.70) saluted for the punters at his third attempt in the event.

The 2022 The Everest result saw Giga Kick become the second three-year-old to win, the first undefeated horse to claim the race and the longest-priced winner at $21.

The 2023 The Everest winner was the Joe Pride-trained Think About It who saluted as the $4.40 favourite for trainer Joe Pride when defeating I Wish I Win (2nd) and Pride’s other runner Private Eye (3rd) who had run second the previous year.

The 2024 The Everest winner was the Ciaron Maher-trained Bella Nipotina who saluted at $9 as the first mare to win the event when defeating the 2022 champion Giga Kick (2nd) and her stablemate Growing Empire (3rd). 

The 2025 The Everest winner was David Hayes’ super sprinter from Hong Kong, Ka Ying Rising, who won as the $2 top fancy to take his record up to 15 wins from 17 starts.

Ka Ying Rising returned to defend his title as the odds-on favourite in 2026 but ultimately went down narrowly to Tempted ($6.50) who went one better than her second to him in 2025.

After contesting The Everest racehorses may continue onto the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival for Group 1 sprint targets including the Manikato Stakes (1200m) and the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) run down the famous Flemington straight on the first Saturday of November during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Redzel (2017) became the first sprinter to do The Everest – VRC Sprint Classic interstate spring sprint double. In 2019, star short distance specialist Nature Strip improved on a lead-up fourth in The Everest results to win the VRC Sprint Classic.

Each Sydney Spring Racing Carnival Racing NSW previously renamed the $3 million Winners Stakes (1300m), held at Rosehill Gardens on The Golden Eagle Day in early November, in honour of The Everest winner. For the inaugural Winners Stakes race in 2019 the event was known as The Redzel Stakes. However, in 2024 the Winners Stakes was renamed in honour of former Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding and was run as the Russell Balding Stakes.

Bella Nipotina (2024) is the latest runner to complete The Everest / Russell Balding Stakes double. 

The Everest Day also now features the renamed Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) – formerly the George Main Stakes – moved to the card ahead of the 2023 edition.

The $2 million Listed race The Kosciuszko (1200m) for NSW Country Trained Horses only also runs on The Everest Day. 

Other features at the meeting include the lucrative Group 2 $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m) for horses that failed to gain a slot in The Everest field, the $1 million Listed Silver Eagle (1300m) for Golden Eagle-bound four-year-olds, the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m), and the Big Dance Wild Card. 

With The Everest event boosting the popularity of slot-racing in Australia, the latest to be added to the calendar was the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) in WA running at Perth’s Ascot Racecourse for the first time in April of 2023 and won by Overpass.

The Everest Race Info

• Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
• Track: Royal Randwick Racecourse
• Distance: 1200m
• Conditions: Weight-for-age
• Status: Group 1
• Prize Money: $20 million
• First Run: 2017

The Everest Prize Money Breakdown

The Everest 2026 runs for a total prize pool of $20 million, with $7 million going to the winner. It’s a slot race, where slots are purchased for $600,000. It’s why the purse is so big, and deals are made between slot holders and owners/trainers to work out a fair agreement.

Position	Prize Money
1st	$7,000,000
2nd	$2,900,000
3rd	$2,000,000
4th	$1,500,000
5th	$1,200,000
6th	$950,000
7th-12th	$700,000

The Everest Betting

The Everest betting markets are some most interesting of each spring racing season and odds on the world’s richest turf race are dominated by the star sprinters getting around at that time.

Some horses from international stables in The Everest betting markets may be unfamiliar to punters down under so doing the form on the race will be more crucial than ever.

A key early lead-up race for contenders that impacts The Everest odds is the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) held at Randwick in mid-September, which produced the very first The Everest winner Redzel (1st in 2017).

Horses that dominated the autumn carnival sprint races including the TJ Smith Stakes also feature highly in The Everest race odds in the spring. In 2020 Classique Legend completed The Shorts – The Everest double with a Group 2 Premiere Stakes second between the two wins, while in 2021 Nature Strip improved on a lead-up The Shorts second to win The Everest and that year’s The Shorts winner Eduardo ran third in The Everest trifecta.

In 2023 The Shorts winner Private Eye ran third in The Everest results behind his stablemate Think About It having run second the year before to Giga Kick.

Held even earlier in the season, the Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes at Caulfield in August makes a good early The Everest guide and the results of that short-distance Melbourne race can affect markets on the world’s richest turf race. 2021 The Heath winner Masked Crusader went on to run a narrow second in The Everest quinella that year.

Classique Legend ($4.20 in 2020), Nature Strip ($3.70 in 2021), Think About It ($4.40 in 2023) and Ka Ying Rising ($2 in 2025) are the current The Everest betting favourites to have won.

Group 1 winning sprinters out of the autumn features earlier in the year including Randwick’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) dominate The Everest betting markets as the event is contested at the same track / distance as The Everest race during ‘The Championships’. Dual TJ Smith Stakes champion Nature Strip finally won The Everest in 2021 at his third attempt. Nature Strip would go on to secure his third TJ Smith Stakes victory in 2022.

In 2022 the defending champion Nature Strip started odds-on in The Everest betting after a lead-up win in The Shorts, but only managed to run fourth behind the three-year-old winner Giga Kick who saluted at a blowout price of $21.

The Everest Field

Entry into the spring’s The Everest race field is via a hefty $600,000 payment from connections.

There are 12 spots available into The Everest final field and each of those slots will be sold to interested owners.

Those connections can then choose to trade their position in the world’s richest turf race or go into partnership with another owner who does not hold one of the original slots in The Everest race field.

The Everest field will attract an elite line-up of the world’s best sprinters from both local and international stables and a host of weight-for-age stars.

Many horses that may have previously run in Melbourne spring sprint races may choose to shoot for the bigger prize money in The Everest field with $6.2 million on offer to the winner. Prize money is paid down to 12th so every horse in The Everest field comes away with stakes.

One of the very first potential lead-up races of the spring for horses looking for a slot in The Everest field is August’s Group 3 Show County Quality on Winx Stakes Day.

The other excellent The Everest lead-up is Randwick’s Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) held in early September. Redzel won the Concorde Stakes three years straight (2017-19) including in the lead-up to his back-to-back The Everest victories, while the 2020 Concorde Stakes winner Gytrash ran third in that year’s The Everest trifecta.

Nature Strip (2021) and Tempted (2026) are the latest sprinters to complete the Concorde Stakes – The Everest double.

In 2022 Giga Kick won The Everest in an upset after lead-up Melbourne victories in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).

The 2023 The Everest winner Think About It came off a lead-up win at the course and distance in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m).

In 2024 Bella Nipotina improved on a lead-up third in the Premiere Stakes to win The Everest. 

Tempted (2026) completed the Concorde Stakes – Premiere Stakes – The Everest treble!

2026 The Everest Final Field

The official The Everest 2026 field and barriers will be made available below as soon as the 12 slots in the race are confirmed by 10am (AEDT) on Tuesday October 13, 2026.

The 2026 The Everest barrier draw will also be conducted on Tuesday October 13, 2026, with barriers released around 8:00pm (AEDT) that evening at a special event.  

The 12-horse The Everest 2026 field and confirmed barriers are officially out with the defending Hong Kong champion, Ka Ying Rising, odds-on favourite to go back-to-back but drawn wide out in gate 11 with Zac Purton back down under for the ride.

The Everest Barrier Draw 2026

The 2026 Everest final field and barriers are announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:00 pm (local time). The Everest barrier draw is showcased via a drone show at Sydney Harbour, which shows the jockey silks and the barrier draw.

The official barrier draw is done behind closed doors earlier in the day, but the general public and connections find out at the presentation. It’s a great spectacle, which hasn’t been without controversy when they displayed the barrier draw on the Sydney Opera House, which was considered disrespectful.

The Everest Barrier Statistics

Barriers five and one have both produced two The Everest winners. Giga Kick and Think About It both jumped from barrier five in consecutive years, and drawing in the middle is always a good barrier for sprint races. Redzel (2018) and Tempted (2026) meanwhile are The Everest winners to take advantage of the inside alley.

There have been two winners drawn wide. Bella Nipotina jumped from barrier 12 in 2024, and Nature Strip had barrier 10 when winning in 2021. Drawing wide isn’t a bad thing, but it depends on how much early speed the horse possesses.

Redzel won back-to-back Everests when drawing barriers 4 and 1. He’s the only horse to win closer than fifth to the rail, so being along the inside isn’t always a positive.

Barrier 1 is the most recent The Everest winning barrier producing Tempted in 2026.

Confirmed 2026 The Everest Horses, Jockeys & Slot Holders

Below punters can stay up to date with the latest confirmed The Everest horses that have secured a slot in the 12-horse feature race at Randwick.

The complete list of confirmed The Everest 2026 slot holders will be detailed below with their chosen runners updated as news breaks on what horses are running for who in this year’s The Everest race field.

Stay tuned below as the 12 slots in The Everest Field are filled, the confirmed horses and jockeys along with the slot-holders to be listed below as positions are announced leading up to the race.

Slot Holder	Runner
Inglis	Spicy Martini
Newgate & GPI Racing	Blue Door
Chris Waller Racing	Joliestar
Mulberry Racing	Savvy Hallie
Coolmore	Giga Kick
Fairway Thoroughbreds	Ninja
James Harron Bloodstock	Caballus
Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Col Madden & Neil Werret	Headwall
TAB	Jimmysstar
Hong Kong Jockey Club / Australian Turf Club	Ka Ying Rising
Yulong Investments	Angel Capital
Godolphin	Tempted

Confirmed 2026 The Everest Horses

Below punters can stay up to date with the latest confirmed The Everest horses that have secured a slot in the 12-horse feature race at Randwick.

Please note that this is not the final field, and further confirmations will be made closer to the race date as slot holders finalise their selections and horses maintain form through their preparations. Keep an eye on lead-up races for more clues on the final composition of the 2026 The Everest field.

1. KA YING RISING

• Slot Holder: Hong Kong Jockey Club (leased from the Australian Turf Club)
• Breeding: by SHAMEXPRESS (IRE) from MISSY MOO (NZ)
• Age/Sex: 6YO Gelding
• Trainer: David Hayes
• Jockey:  Zac Purton 
• Barrier: 11
• Owners: Ka Ying Syndicate 

Defending The Everest champion Ka Ying Rising has officially locked in his return to Sydney after being selected to represent the Hong Kong Jockey Club slot in the 2026 edition of Australia’s richest race on turf. Prepared by leading Hong Kong trainer David Hayes, the superstar sprinter heads into his title defence in phenomenal form, boasting a 21-race winning streak and fresh off a breathtaking track-record performance over 1200m at Sha Tin in the Chief Executive’s Cup on September 6. Hayes has declared Ka Ying Rising a “bigger and better horse” than the one that cruised to Everest glory last year, citing the gelding’s previous Sydney experience as a major advantage heading into his return campaign. Following his arrival in Australia and quarantine preparations at Canterbury, Ka Ying Rising is set to dominate The Everest odds 2026 markets and shapes as the horse all rivals must beat as he chases a rare second Everest victory and further cements his status among the world’s elite sprinters.

2. JIMMYSSTAR

• Slot Holder: TAB
• Breeding: by PER INCANTO (USA) from ANNIESSTAR (NZ)
• Age/Sex: 7YO Gelding
• Trainer: Ciaron Maher
• Jockey: Nash Rawiller
• Barrier: 8
• Owners: Mr A Kheir, Mr J A O’Neill, A K Racing, Mrs C A Algie, Ciaron Maher Racing, Mr J Steet, Carty Racing, Mr T R Maddern, Red Rocks and Crocks, S and D Racing, Mr B D Nettlefold, Mr S A Lewin, GC 600 Syndicate, Mrs C R Williams, Mr A S Williams, Solscaf Racing, Mr P M Algie, Cookie Racing

Jimmysstar has officially booked his spot in The Everest 2026, with owner Ozzie Kheir confirming the Ciaron Maher-trained star will line up in the $20 million sprint after producing a stunning last-to-first victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. A four-time Group 1 winner and third-placegetter behind Ka Ying Rising and Tempted in last year’s Everest, Jimmysstar returns to Randwick with unfinished business and will have champion jockey Nash Rawiller aboard for the first time. Kheir said the gelding had earned his place on racing’s biggest sprint stage, declaring, “Jimmysstar will take his place in the 2026 Everest and will have Nash Rawiller aboard,” before adding, “Although we are racing against two standouts and many other worthy participants, we feel Jimmy having been a last-start Group 1 winner needs to be present in the richest sprint in Australia.” Now a $13 chance in current The Everest odds 2026, Jimmysstar heads back to Sydney aiming to turn the tables on the star pair who finished ahead of him 12 months ago.

3. GIGA KICK

• Slot Holder: Coolmore
• Breeding: by SCISSOR KICK from REKINDLED APPLAUSE (GB)
• Age/Sex: 7YO Gelding
• Trainer: Clayton Douglas
• Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
• Barrier: 12
• Owners: Pinecliff Racing

Former The Everest winner Giga Kick has officially secured the Coolmore slot for the 2026 running of Australia’s richest sprint, with Dylan Gibbons booked to ride the Clayton Douglas-trained star. A winner of the race in 2022 and runner-up in 2024, the seven-year-old boasts an outstanding Everest record and appears to be building nicely through his spring campaign following runs in the Moir and Manikato Stakes. The reigning Champions Sprint winner shapes as a genuine contender at Randwick, particularly if rain arrives.

4. ANGEL CAPITAL

• Slot Holder: Yulong Investments
• Breeding: by HARRY ANGEL (IRE) from BAHAMAS
• Age/Sex: 5YO Horse
• Trainer: Chris Waller
• Jockey: Ben Melham
• Barrier: 2
• Owners: Yu Long Investments

Following a career-defining win in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Angel Capital has secured the Yulong Investments slot in the 2026 The Everest, earning his shot at the $20 million sprint showdown at Royal Randwick. Prepared by champion trainer Chris Waller, the talented son of Harry Angel stamped his authority as a genuine Everest contender with his breakthrough Group 1 success and now returns to the race with stronger form and greater experience after contesting the feature in 2025. Backed by powerhouse owners Yulong Investments, Angel Capital heads into Australia’s richest turf race as an exciting runner capable of making his presence felt against the world’s elite sprinters.

5. CABALLUS

• Slot Holder: James Harron Bloodstock
• Breeding: by I AM INVINCIBLE from CALMING INFLUENCE
• Age/Sex: 6YO Gelding
• Trainer: Bjorn Baker
• Jockey: Tim Clark
• Barrier: 10
• Owners: Mr S G Darby, Mr R P Commisso, Mr S Ducat, Mr C J Houghton, KB JR Racing, Hekou Racing, Mr N Laygan, Mr J F Neilsen, Mrs M J Neven, Mr G J Pratley, Mr M Sultana, Mr D Constantin, Darby Racing Caballus, Mr M D Holland

After booking his place in the 2026 The Everest with a brilliant Group 1 Newmarket Handicap victory, Caballus has secured the coveted James Harron Bloodstock slot for the $20 million sprint at Royal Randwick. The in-form Bjorn Baker-trained gelding will line up alongside stablemate Blue Door after connections struck a deal with the two-time winning Everest slot holders. Following a solid first-up return in the Premiere Stakes, Caballus looks poised to take another step forward as he chases a career-defining victory in Australia’s richest turf race.

6. HEADWALL

• Slot Holder: Max Whitby, Neil Werret, Col Madden & Steve McCann
• Breeding: by DREAM AHEAD (USA) from POSITIVE QUEST
• Age/Sex: 7YO Gelding
• Trainer: Matthew Smith
• Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
• Barrier: 6
• Owners: Mr R A Young, Mr J H Marsden, Mrs A M Adam, Mrs N Der Sarkissian

After missing a shot at The Everest last year through injury, Headwall has fought his way back into the big sprint, securing a slot in the 2026 edition of Australia’s richest turf race for trainer Matthew Smith. The talented sprinter has returned in terrific order this prep, highlighted by a brave Concorde Stakes placing, and will line up in the slot owned by Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Col Madden and Steve McCann. It’s a deserved reward for connections’ patience and gives Smith his long-awaited crack at the $20 million Randwick showpiece.

7. NINJA

• Slot Holder: Fairway Thoroughbreds
• Breeding: by FARNAN from IMPULSIVE
• Age/Sex: 4YO Gelding
• Trainer: Michael Freedman
• Jockey: Tommy Berry
• Barrier: 3
• Owners: MyRacehorse No. 1, Fairway Thoroughbreds, Mr G M Funnell, Widden Stud Pty Ltd, Bundarra Breeding and Racing Pty Ltd, Sledmere Stud, Torryburn Stud, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, McDonnell Thoroughbreds, Miss S Kaur, Mr S Patel, Mr J Livingstone

Exciting four-year-old Ninja became the first locally-trained horse locked into the 2026 The Everest after securing the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot, earning his spot following an impressive return victory in the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman, the rapidly rising sprint star has emerged as one of the leading contenders for Australia’s richest race on turf and is expected to tackle key lead-up races such as The Shorts and Premiere Stakes on his way to The Everest. Already attracting interest in The Everest betting 2026 markets, Ninja shapes as a genuine challenger in the $20 million feature as connections dream of adding The Everest to a potential Golden Eagle campaign later in the spring.

8. JOLIESTAR

• Slot Holder: Chris Waller Racing
• Breeding: by ZOUSTAR from JOLIE BAY
• Age/Sex: 6YO Mare
• Trainer: Chris Waller
• Jockey: James McDonald
• Barrier: 5
• Owners: Cambridge Stud

Joliestar has been confirmed for the Chris Waller Racing slot in the 2026 Everest, with the star mare set for her third consecutive appearance in the race after previously finishing seventh in 2024 and fifth behind Ka Ying Rising last year. The reigning Australian champion sprinter heads to Randwick in career-best form following Group 1 victories in the Canterbury Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes, along with a strong third at Royal Ascot, and remains one of the leading local hopes in this year’s $20 million feature.

9. TEMPTED

• Slot Holder: Godolphin
• Breeding: by STREET BOSS (USA) from CALLIOPE
• Age/Sex: 4YO Mare
• Trainer: Ciaron Maher
• Jockey: Chad Schofield
• Barrier: 1
• Owners: Godolphin

Tempted has officially locked in Godolphin’s slot for The Everest 2026 and shapes as the clear danger to hot favourite Ka Ying Rising after an outstanding spring campaign. The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Street Boss returns for a second crack at the $20 million sprint after chasing home the Hong Kong superstar in last year’s edition and heads to Randwick in career-best form, unbeaten in five starts this year and coming off back-to-back Group 2 victories in the Concorde Stakes and Premiere Stakes. Chad Schofield retains the ride aboard the $6 second favourite, with Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv declaring, “She is an outstanding mare, unbeaten in 2026 and I’m sure she will represent Godolphin extremely well,” adding, “As a Godolphin homebred, we are all very proud of her and the thrill she gives us on raceday.” Schofield is equally excited for the rematch, saying, “I can’t wait to aim her at Ka Ying Rising,” as Tempted looks to turn the tables on the reigning Everest champion.

10. SPICY MARTINI

• Slot Holder: Inglis
• Breeding: by JUSTIFY (USA) from EXTRA OLIVES
• Age/Sex: 5YO Mare
• Trainer: Toby Edmonds
• Jockey: Taylor Marshall
• Barrier: 4
• Owners: Miss H R Penfold, A R E Investments, Mr C W White, Mr D J Tamblyn, Mr D J Tamblyn, Mr A Daffy, Felgate Holdings, Mr D L Turner, Mr K R Green, Mr B A Membrey, Mr M R Magarry, Just S

Spicy Martini has officially locked in Inglis’ slot for The Everest 2026, earning her place in the $20 million sprint after a meteoric rise from bargain buy to Group 1 winner. Purchased for just $8,000 through Inglis Digital, the Toby Edmonds-trained mare has already banked more than $2.7 million in prizemoney and heads to Randwick as one of the race’s great success stories, having secured her spot off the back of a strong first-up effort in The Shorts. Regular rider Taylor Marshall retains the mount as Spicy Martini gets her chance to shine on the biggest stage in Australian sprint racing.

11. SAVVY HALLIE

• Slot Holder: Mulberry Racing
• Breeding: by HELLBENT from ROSE OF SAVANNAH
• Age/Sex: 4YO Mare
• Trainer: Brad Widdup
• Jockey: Zac Lloyd
• Barrier: 7
• Owners: B K Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr B J Vassallo

Savvy Hallie has officially joined the 2026 The Everest field after securing Mulberry Racing’s slot, giving the Brad Widdup-trained mare her chance to compete in the $20 million sprint at Royal Randwick. The three-time Group 2 winner has put together a terrific spring preparation, kicking off with victory in the Sheraco Stakes before booking her Everest berth with a courageous runner-up finish behind fellow contender Tempted in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes. While currently a $51 outsider in The Everest betting 2026, Savvy Hallie’s toughness, consistency, and proven ability against elite sprint company were enough to convince connections she deserved a shot at Australia’s richest race on turf.

12. BLUE DOOR

• Slot Holder: Newgate & GPI Racing
• Breeding: by STAY INSIDE from NOTTING HILL
• Age/Sex: 3YO Filly
• Trainer: Bjorn Baker
• Jockey: Jamie Melham
• Barrier: 9
• Owners: Strawberry Hill Stud, Ms J Singleton

Blue Door is officially Everest-bound after Newgate Stud & GPI Racing snapped up the exciting three-year-old filly for their slot in the $20 million Everest at Randwick. The Bjorn Baker-trained daughter of Stay Inside announced herself as a genuine contender with a brilliant Group 3 Heritage Stakes victory, showing the speed and class needed to take on the nation’s best sprinters. Owned by racing identity John Singleton, Blue Door adds plenty of intrigue to this year’s Everest field, with her feather weight, front-running speed and untapped upside making her one of the race’s most fascinating wildcard contenders. Jockey Jamie Melham has given up the Caulfield Cup ride on defending dual Cups’ champ Half Yours in favour of a ride on Blue Door in Sydney’s The Everest.

The Everest Form Guide

The Everest form guide is a punters’ best friend providing all the essential information on the 12 horses in the field including lead-up runs, track / distance records, jockeys and the all-important The Everest barrier draw.

Looking for horses with Group 1 wins on the record, international race experience, a stellar 1200m distance record, past Randwick wins in races like the autumn’s TJ Smith Stakes and weight-for-age performers on The Everest form guide are all important before placing bets on the $20 million event.

The 2022 The Everest form was franked with the winning three-year-old Giga Kick returning the following year for a stellar autumn / winter bid that included Group 1 wins in the 2023 All Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000.

Giga Kick returned in the 2024 The Everest field and was huge running second to the mare Bella Nipotina when narrowly denied his second success. 

Bella Nipotina franked her 2024 The Everest winning form with a next up victory in the Russell Balding Stakes followed by a third in that Melbourne Cup Carnival’s Group 1 Champions Sprint.

The 2025 The Everest form proved some of the strongest sprint form in world racing, with winner Ka Ying Rising returning to Hong Kong and extending his dominance with seven more consecutive victories, including four Group 1 triumphs at Sha Tin. Runner-up Tempted also enhanced the strength of the race, winning her next four starts on the bounce and adding a Group 1 Surround Stakes success to her resume, while third placegetter Jimmysstar continued the trend by completing the Russell Balding Stakes – CF Orr Stakes double at his following two starts. With multiple elite-level winners emerging directly from the race, the 2025 edition further reinforced The Everest’s reputation as the premier sprint contest in Australia and one of the highest-quality form references for punters assessing future Group 1 races.

Ka Ying Rising and Tempted – 1st and 2nd in 2025 – franked the form returning to complete The Everest quinella again in 2026 but in reverse order.

2026 The Everest Form Guide

A link to our comprehensive The Everest 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.

Past The Everest Results

The very first edition of The Everest ran on Saturday October 14, 2017, at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney and the inaugural The Everest winner and race results were dominated by the Team Snowden-trained Redzel who went on to win Flemington’s VRC Sprint Classic next-up.

Redzel went on to repeat her stunning performance the very next year, winning The Everest in convincing fashion over an arguably much more talented field. The win saw Redzel’s career earnings reach over $15 million across her four-year career.

Using The Everest results as a guide to later Melbourne Spring Carnival races is important for punters with the VRC Sprint Classic in November making a nice betting double with the lucrative Group 1 race.

The 2022 The Everest results saw the Clayton Douglas-trained three-year-old Giga Kick make history as the longest-priced winner at 20/1 and the first unbeaten horse to claim the feature sprint.

The 2023 The Everest results had the favourite Think About It saluting for the punters with a terrific effort thanks to a lovely ride by Sam Clipperton for trainer Joe Pride and slot-holders Newgate Farm & GPI Racing.

The 2024 The Everest results saw a mare, Bella Nipotina ($9), become the first female galloper to win handing race sponsors TAB their first win after having had a runner in all eight editions of the event. 

Bella Nipotina (2024) and Tempted (2026) are the only mares to win The Everest. 

Ka Ying Rising (2025) became the first international The Everest winner coming from Hong Kong and representing slot holders the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

In 2026, Tempted went one better than her second to Ka Ying Rising in 2025 when beating him home by just a half-neck in their rematch.

Past The Everest Winners

A complete list of The Everest winners and placegetters dating back to the race’s inauguration in 2017 are detailed in the below table. For more information, see our guide on past The Everest winners.

Year	Winner	Runner-Up	Third	Time
2026	Tempted	Ka Ying Rising	Joliestar	1:08.21
2025	Ka Ying Rising	Tempted	Jimmysstar	1:08.13
2024	Bella Nipotina	Giga Kick	Growing Empire	1:08.76
2023	Think About It	I Wish I Win	Private Eye	1:07.64
2022	Giga Kick	Private Eye	Mazu	1:09.86
2021	Nature Strip	Masked Crusader	Edurardo	1:09.11
2020	Classique Legend	Bivouac	Gytrash	1:08.27
2019	Yes Yes Yes	Santa Ana Lane	Trekking	1:07.32(R)
2018	Redzel	Trapeze Artist	Osborne Bulls	1:12.03
2017	Redzel	Vega Magic	Brave Smash	1:08.36