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| Dane Squance |
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The $15 million Everest has taken over as one of the biggest race days on the Australian calendar, but one crucial factor behind the history of this race is that Victorian breeding is prominent each and every year.
The inaugural running in 2017 saw Redzel mark his position as one of the greatest sprinters in the land, subsequent to winning his last four races including the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Bred at Eliza Park in Victoria, this was just the first of two wins for the great sprinter who replicated his efforts in 2018, continuing a stellar run for Victorian breeding in the great race.
In 2019, the third edition of The Everest featured champion gallopers such as Nature Strip, Redzel, Arcadia Queen and at the time, the world’s best sprinter Santa Ana Lane.
But it was the son of Rubick (now stands at Swettenham Stud), Yes Yes Yes, who backed up his narrow Golden Rose placing with a strong win carrying 53kg.
Launching down the outside with Glen Boss in the saddle, this win sealed a magnificent career for the three-year-old colt.
In 2021, it was all about the son of Nicconi, the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip who was too tough for his rivals including Victorian Sired Masked Crusader (Toronado) and Victorian bred Eduardo.
2022 looks another year for Victoria, with nine of the 12 runners either being bred in Victoria, or are sired by a now Victorian based stallion.
Headlining the field is the dominant favourite Nature Strip who looks to go back-to-back for his warrior sire Nicconi, continuing to kick goals at Widden Victoria.
Nature’s arch rival Eduardo looks to go two better this year after finishing third in The Everest last year. The son of ex-Swettenham sire Host was bred right here in Victoria by Jane Kaufmann.
Masked Crusader was runner-up to Nature Strip last year, and with his booming turn of foot, he can record his sire Toronado’s first win in this race.
Swettenham’s Rubick will have two horses going around to emulate his son Yes Yes Yes’ feats back in 2019, with Golden Rose winner Jacquinot a leading contender along with super mare Shades of Rose who looks for her fifth straight win.
Nicconi will also be represented by Hong Kong import Joyful Fortune who was a dominant Flemington winner first-up, while Overpass will be right in the firing line early, trying to record a huge win for his Golden Slipper winning sire Vancouver who stands at Woodside Park Stud.
Gilgai Stakes winner Private Eye has been the banner horse in recent years for Stockwell Stud’s Al Maher and has to be chance with his turn of foot.
Godolphin has chosen their Frosted entire Ingratiating who has been in great form, running a flashing second placing in Saturday’s Schillaci Stakes to stablemate Paulele.
If history is anything to go by, if you want a horse to feature in The Everest, Victorian bloodlines and history are a must for your sprinter.
Copy: Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria