Jimmysstar's Everest Heroics Fuel Global Ambitions
Exceeding Expectations Against World's Best
Owner Ozzie Kheir is full of praise for The Everest’s third-place winner, Jimmysstar. The gelding’s effort against the world's best sprinters in the Group One spectacle is noteworthy, given the tactical difficulties he encountered when finishing behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising.
"He was up against probably the best sprinter in the world," Kheir said. "For him to do what he did, and he did a lot of work, he ran extremely well. He ran above expectations and probably his personal best. So we're very, very proud of him.
"When he first jumped out of the gates, I was really hoping he would get cover and follow Briasa into the race. But when he got no cover and had to keep going forward, I really thought this wasn't going to be good. For him to just continue and race, and really, he was still in it with the last 150 metres to go, I was very proud of the horse. He ran fantastically."
The racing pattern proved far from ideal for Jimmysstar, who was forced to race without cover and expend more energy than connections would have preferred in the early stages. That he was still competitive deep into the straight spoke volumes about his class and courage.
Securing his slot through the TAB, Jimmysstar has proven himself worthy of a place in the world's richest turf sprint, with his performance cementing his reputation as one of the premier sprinters in the southern hemisphere.
Jimmystar To Face Everest Stars
Kheir has mapped out plans for the 6YO to once again go head-to-head with the Everest stars in the special conditions Russell Balding Stakes carrying a lucrative prize purse of A$3 million.
The lucrative bonus scheme attached to this event makes it an irresistible target for connections, with Jimmysstar's consistent performances throughout the season, positioning him perfectly to maximise the returns.
"We will now run him in the Russell Balding Stakes in Sydney," said Kheir. "Because of all the bonuses attached to it, and because he's leading the bonuses, it's worth a lot of money. I think if he wins that race, we receive around A$3.7 million in prize money. So, we're definitely going to that race in two weeks' time," Kheir added.
Royal Ascot Dream Firmly On The Radar
Looking beyond the Russell Balding, Kheir reveals the ownership group harbours ambitions of a tilt at Royal Ascot next year. The prestigious English carnival represents the pinnacle of international racing, and connections are eager to test Jimmysstar against Europe's best.
The prospect of an international campaign adds another dimension to Jimmysstar's story, with Royal Ascot offering races at various distances that could suit the versatile sprinter. The ownership group is clearly relishing the opportunity to compete on the world stage, with the social and sporting aspects of an Ascot campaign proving equally appealing.
Sticking With Winning Formula For Future
The owner, who is also campaigning fellow Kiwi bred Gringotts and maintaining a string of 50 to 75 horses with Australia's leading trainers, insists his buying strategy will remain unchanged despite his recent success.
"I think our formula and strategy has been working really well," he said. "The objective is to stick to our formula and not change much, because if it ain't broken, why fix it? That would be my motto."
Kheir's business interests extend beyond racing, spanning hotels and hospitality venues. Despite coming to racing relatively late, initially through harness racing as an outlet from being a self-confessed workaholic, he has quickly established himself as one of Australian racing's most influential figures.
His racing achievements are extensive, with victories in the Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant in 2021, the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, and The Everest among his Group One successes. He oversees a substantial racing operation with Australia's biggest stables, including partnerships with leading trainers across the country.
Kheir has built his success on a deliberate strategy of targeting New Zealand-bred horses, an approach that has proven remarkably successful with multiple Group One winners emerging from his carefully selected purchases.
"There is a lot of substance to a New Zealand horse," he explained. "They breed milers and staying types. I love racing horses that have that scope to improve from three onwards."
His success with champions such as Verry Elleegant, multiple Group One winner Sierra Sue, and Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man validates his approach. Kheir has identified Jimmysstar and Gringotts as two potential flagbearers for his stable going forward, with both horses demonstrating the quality and substance he seeks in New Zealand-bred stock.
Everest Return On The Agenda
A return to the Gr.1 The Everest is also firmly on the agenda for the ownership group. "We'd love to be able to go back to The Everest next year," Kheir confirmed.
Jimmysstar, bred by Little Avondale Stud in partnership with Pete and Chrissy Algie, won twice from three starts for trainer Guy Lowry in New Zealand before Kheir’s syndicate acquired a majority share in spring 2023. The gelding was transferred to trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and the original owners, including Little Avondale's Sam and Catriona Williams, retained an interest.
"It is proving to be a good acquisition and it has been great partnering up with the owners who have stayed in because I think they would have had a lot of regrets if they had sold him completely," Kheir said.
The son of Per Incanto out of the Zed mare Anniesstar showed early promise in New Zealand, but few could have predicted his meteoric rise through the sprint ranks in Australia. Following his Australian debut victory at Bendigo, Jimmysstar captured the Shooting Stars (1500m) at Cranbourne.
His transformation into a top-level sprinter came as a surprise even to his owner. "I didn't think I bought a sprinter out of New Zealand in Jimmysstar, I genuinely thought I bought a miler," Kheir admitted.
The 2025 campaign confirmed his status as a top tier sprinter. The Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes provided another valuable win on his record, building momentum towards his Group One breakthrough in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February before adding the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April.
The story of Ozzie Kheir and Jimmysstar continues to unfold, with the Russell Balding Stakes representing the next chapter in what has already been a remarkable partnership. With dreams of Royal Ascot and another crack at The Everest on the horizon, the journey is far from over for this outstanding New Zealand-bred sprinter and his ambitious ownership team.