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The 2024 Sydney Everest Carnival is gearing up for a thrilling eight-week spectacle, featuring nine race days and a staggering US$58 million in prizemoney. With the US$13.3 million Gr.1 TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on 19 October and the US$6.7 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on 2 November headlining the festivities, racing enthusiasts are in for a treat. Here's a look at ten horses poised to make their mark on this year's carnival.
Autumn Glow, hailing from the Chris Waller stable, is turning heads with her unblemished record. The lightly-raced 3YO filly has clinched both her starts over 1300m, showcasing immense potential. All eyes are on her as she aims for the Darley Flight on TAB Epsom Day, a crucial leg of the Darley Princess series.
Godolphin's Broadsiding is another youngster with a point to prove. The James Cummings-trained colt enjoyed a stellar 2YO season, claiming the Champagne Stakes before adding the Sires' Produce Stakes and J.J. Atkins in Queensland to his trophy cabinet. The Gr.1 James Squire Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens looms as a likely starting point for his campaign.
Joliestar, a 4YO mare from the Waller yard, is making waves after a dominant victory in the Show County Quality, followed by a creditable third in the Sheraco Stakes. Her connections are eyeing a coveted slot in the TAB Everest, with the US$6.7 million Golden Eagle as a tempting alternative.
The 2022 TAB Everest champion, Giga Kick, is on the comeback trail for trainer Clayton Douglas. After a year-long hiatus, the speedster made his return in the Concorde Stakes. His team is plotting a path through the Premiere Stakes, hoping to secure another crack at the TAB Everest.
Sunshine in Paris, trained by the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibold partnership, is proving age is just a number. The 5YO mare kicked off her campaign in style, notching back-to-back wins in the Sheraco Stakes. She's already locked in for the US$13.3 million TAB Everest, representing Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Les Bridge's Celestial Legend is another 4YO with lofty ambitions. After claiming the Star Doncaster Mile in the autumn, he's returned with an eighth-place finish in the Theo Marks. The US$6.7 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens is firmly on his radar.
The Chris Waller-trained duo of Fangirl and Zougotcha are poised for big campaigns. Fangirl, despite not winning, showed promise in her Winx Stakes return and remains one of the country's top-rated horses. Zougotcha, coming off a stellar autumn, impressed in the Winx Stakes and is tackling the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes on the carnival's opening day. Both mares have multiple options, including the TAB Epsom and Gr.2 King Charles III Stakes in Sydney.
Adding an international flavour to the carnival is Eliyass, a 6YO French import now under the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The stayer has quickly acclimatised to Australian conditions, notching victories in the Mayors Cup and Premiers Cup. He's now considered a top contender for The Metropolitan on TAB Epsom Day.
Ciaron Maher's Pride Of Jenni returns to the fray after etching her name in racing folklore with a memorable triumph in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the autumn. Her connections are eyeing a return to Royal Randwick on TAB Everest Day for the Gr.2 King Charles III Stakes.
The Sydney Everest Carnival has a rich history of producing champions. Notable past winners include Redzel, who claimed the inaugural TAB Everest in 2017 and successfully defended his crown in 2018. The Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip dominated the 2021 and 2022 editions, showcasing his sprinting prowess on the world stage with a Royal Ascot victory. In the Golden Eagle, Kolding (2019) and I'm Thunderstruck (2021) used their victories as springboards to Group One glory in subsequent seasons.
As the 2024 Sydney Everest Carnival approaches, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Australian racing history. With a mix of established stars and emerging talent, this year's event promises to deliver world-class action and unforgettable moments on the turf.