The world's richest race on turf will be run at Randwick on Saturday with the fastest horses in the land battling it out for $15 million in money to be shared across connections and slotholders. Here is the breeding background of the horses involved.
No 1. Nature Strip
Nicconi x Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB})
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Slotholder: Chris Waller Racing
Barrier: 10
Purchased: Passed in at 2016 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale when offered by Golden Grove, purchased thereafter.
One of Nicconi's 23 stakes winners and to date his sole Group 1 winner, he is bred on a 3 X 4 cross of Danzig (USA) and a 7 X 7 cross of the Kentucky Oaks heroine Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) via her outstanding sons Bold Reason (USA) (Hail To Reason {USA}) and Never Bend (USA) (Nasrullah {Ire}).
A descendant of the wonderful broodmare Friar's Daughter (GB) (Friar Marcus {GB}) whose Classic-winning sons Bahram (GB) (Blandford {Ire}) and Dastur (GB) (Solario {GB}) made a mark on the breed, Nature Strip is a son of the Group 3-winning mare Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}) who has also produced the Listed Fernhill H. winner The Barrister (Star Witness). His grandam is the Listed-winning stayer Strike High (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}).
Nature Strip | Image courtesy of Sportpix
No 2. Classique Legend
Not A Single Doubt x Pinocchio (Encosta De Lago)
Trainer: Les Bridge
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Slotholder: Bon Ho
Barrier: 5
Purchased: $400,000 by Carmel Size at the 2017 Inglis Classic Sale where offered by Tyreel Stud
Classique Legend as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
His grandsire Redoute's Choice and dam Pinocchio (Encosta De Lago) are bred on the same Northern Dancer (Can)/Bletchingly/Sir Ivor (USA) cross.
His sire Not A Single Doubt (who has been well represented by 77 stakes winners) carries multiple strains of the acclaimed matriarch La Troienne (Fr) (Teddy {Fr}) - seventh dam of Pinocchio, who has also produced the Hong Kong Group 2 winner Aethero (Sebring), whose grandsire More Than Ready (USA) is also a La Troienne descendant.
Pinocchio is a full sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Racing To Win and half-sister to the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Purrealist (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Classique Legend winning the 2020 The Everest | Image courtesy of Ash Brennan
No.3 Eduardo
Host (Chi) x Blushing (Fantastic Light {USA})
Trainer: Joseph Pride
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Slotholder: The Star & Arrowfield
Barrier: 7
Purchased: Homebred, part sold privately
The sole Group 1 winner for the late Host (Chi), Eduardo is the only stakes performer within two generations of his family with his third dam being the G3 Lightning H. winner Peggy Ann (NZ) (Bletchingly), daughter of the G1 Rosemont Classic winner Avon Angel (NZ) (Avon Valley {GB}).
Further back this is the family of one of the most successful unraced stallions of all time; Alibhai (GB) (Hyperion {GB}), sire of 54 stakes winners.
He was bred by Jane Kaufmann, and is out of Fantastic Light (USA) mare Blushing.
Eduardo | Image courtesy of Sportpix
No. 4 Gytrash
Lope De Vega (Ire) x Miss Barley (Fastnet Rock)
Trainers: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle
Jockey: Jason Collett
Slotholder: Inglis
Barrier: 1
Purchased: $40,000 by Gordon Richards at 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Maluka Thoroughbreds. Also sold as for $70,000 as a weanling through the 2016 Inglis Great Southern Sale by Glastonbury Farms
Gytrash as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
One of Lope de Vega's (Ire) 87 stakes winners and one of his two Group 1 winners (the other being Santa Ana Lane who ran second in this race in 2019) line-bred to the fine mare Crimson Saint (USA) (Crimson Satan {USA}) via her grandson Storm Cat (USA) and son Royal Academy (USA).
He also carries three crosses of the legendary Nijinsky II (Can) and is out of the unraced Miss Barley (Fastnet Rock), half-sister to the Listed Keith Mackay H. winner Strawberry Storm (Thunder Gulch {USA}) whose granddaughter Odeum (Written Tycoon) won last year's G1 Thousand Guineas.
No.5 Trekking
Street Cry (Ire) x Outdoor (Redoute's Choice)
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Josh Parr
Slotholder: Godolphin
Barrier: 4
Purchased: Godolphin homebred
Bred on the same Street Cry (Ire)/Redoute's Choice cross as last weekend's G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), he is a half-brother to the Macau stakes winner Winnie Star (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) out of a three times-winning daughter of the triple Group 1 winner Serenade Rose (Stravinsky {USA}).
His third dam Rose Of Tralee was a member of a Sadler's Wells (USA) down-under project carried out in the mid 1990s.
A feature of his pedigree is the presence of the close relations Machiavellian (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}), Halo (USA) (Hail To Reason {USA}), Danehill (USA) (Danzig {USA}) and Northern Dancer (Can) (Nearctic {Can}). He is another high-class performer line-bred to Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).
Trekking | Image courtesy of Sportpix
No.6 Masked Crusader
Toronado (Ire) x She's Got Gears (Invincible Spirit {Ire})
Trainers: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Slotholder: Max Whitby and Neil Werrett
Barrier: 9
Purchased: $340,000 by Hawkes Racing/Cameron Cooke Bloodstock at Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Gilgai Farm
What is not to love about this fellow's pedigree?! The first Southern Hemisphere-bred Group 1 winner for Toronado (Ire), he boasts crosses of six outstanding mares within seven generations such as Fairy Bridge (USA) (Bold Reason {USA}), Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}), Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Fr}), Sex Appeal (USA) (Buckpasser {USA}), Mixed Marriage (GB) (Tudor Minstrel {Ire}) and Relance (Fr) (Relic {USA}).
He is also line-bred to the high-class stallions Northern Dancer (Can) (Nearctic {Can}), Kris (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}), Mr Prospector (USA) (Raise A Native {USA}), Danzig (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}) and Mill Reef (USA) (Never Bend {USA}) and is a son of the fast Listed winner She's Got Gears (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who has also produced the stakes-placed Outlaw Kate (Exceed And Excel).
Masked Crusader | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No. 7 Wild Ruler
Snitzel x Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can})
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Tim Clark
Slotholder: Yu Long Investments
Barrier: 11
Purchased: $525,000 by China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock/WinStar at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Kia Ora Stud
Wild Ruler as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Seeking a third Everest victory for Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) on the back of Redzel's double success, he is a son of the imported dual Group 2 winner Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {Can}) whose dam is the Listed winner Feisty Princess (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}).
His pedigree is a very American one with its most interesting aspect being the presence of the relations In Reality (USA) (Intentionally {USA}) and Indian Charlie (USA) (In Excess {Ire}), both descendants of the high-class broodmare Clonasee (GB) (Orpiment {GB}).
Wild Ruler | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No.8 The Inferno
Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) x Spina Rosa (Redoute's Choice)
Trainer: Cliff Brown
Jockey: Regan Bayliss
Slotholder: James Harron Bloodstock
Barrier: 12
Purchased: NZ$140,000 by Cliff Brown Racing at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, when offered by Westbury Stud. Also sold for $10,000 through the Newhaven Park draft at the 2017 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
The Inferno as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The Inferno is one of just four stakes winners (no Group 1 winners as yet) bred on a 2 X 3 male line cross of Danehill (USA) with the other - Mango Diva (GB) also being by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). He also carries a 4 X 7 cross of the wonderful matriarch Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Fr}).
Out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed Samski (Exceed And Excel), he is a great grandson of the G1 1000 Guineas placegetter Rose Reward (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), dam of the dual Group 1 winner Lotteria (Redoute's Choice).
The Inferno | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No.9 Embracer
Sebring x Leona Chiara (Lion Hunter)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Jean Van Overmeire
Slotholder: James Kennedy
Barrier: 3
Purchased: $280,000 by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Widden Stud
Embracer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
One of the 71 stakes winners sired by the late Sebring, this member of the prolific New Zealand family descending from Kite (GB) (Bustard {GB}) is out of the high class race and broodmare Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter).
That Group 3 winner has been well represented by eight winners including the dual Group 1 winning successful Widden Stud stallion Star Witness and the triple Group 3 winner and Rosemont Stud stallion Nostradamus. She is also the grandam of this year's G3 Wenona Girl H. winner Vulpine (Snitzel) and is one of four stakes winners produced by Chiara (Last Tycoon {Ire}), also dam of Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter), Ferocity (Lion Hunter) and Chiaramonte (Redoute's Choice).
Embracer is bred on a 4 X 3 cross of Danehill (USA).
Embracer | Image courtesy of Sportspix
No. 10 Lost and Running (NZ)
Per Incanto (USA) x Dreamlife (NZ) (Danroad)
Trainer: John O'Shea
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Slotholder: TAB
Barrier: 2
Purchased: $40,000 by John O'Shea Racing at the 2018 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where offered by Blandford Lodge
Another Everest contender with a Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) cross, he is one of 22 stakes winners for Per Incanto (USA) and he is the first runner for the unplaced Dreamlife (NZ) (Danroad).
Dreamlife's dam Make Me Dream (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}) is also dam of the stakes winners A Chance To Dream (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), Kiss Me Ketut (NZ) (Danroad) and Fast Love (NZ) Fastnet Rock), in turn dam of the Listed winner Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel).
Make Me Dream's dam Heavenly Calm (USA) (Diesis {GB}) and grandam Smooth Bore (USA) (His Majesty {USA}) are both stakes winners.
Lost And Running (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportspix
No. 11 Libertini
I Am Invincible x Aloha (Encosta De Lago)
Trainer: Anthony Cummings
Jockey: Sam Clipperton
Slotholder: Aquis
Barrier: 8
Purchased: Homebred by Gerry Harvey
One of the 66 stakes winners sired by I Am Invincible, Libertini is a member of a remarkable line of stakes-winning mares spanning six generations - her dam Aloha (Encosta De Lago), grandam Tennessee Midnight (Danehill {USA}), third dam Tennessee Morn (Bletchingly), fourth dam Tennessee Vain (Whiskey Road {USA}) and fifth dam Misty Vain (Vain) all successful at stakes level.
Her G1 Coolmore Classic-winning dam is a half-sister to the grandam of the G1 ATC Champagne S. winner Seabrook (Hinchinbrook). Ancestress of this prolific family is the 1945 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rainbird (The Buzzard {GB}).
Libertini's sire and grandam are bred on the same Danzig (USA)/Bletchingly cross (noting that both stallions are descendants of Lady Susan (GB) (St Simon {GB}) and she also boasts a Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}) cross).
Libertini | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No. 12 Home Affairs
I Am Invincible x Miss Interiors (Flying Spur)
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Glen Boss
Slotholder: Coolmore
Barrier: 6
Purchased: $875,000 by Tom Magnier at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Torryburn Stud
Home Affairs as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Another I Am Invincible contestant, he hails from one of the world's great families with his fifth dam being Northern Dancer's remarkable daughter Fanfreluche (Can).
Out of a mare (the three times-winner Miss Interiors by Flying Spur) bred on a 4 X 4 cross of Fanfreluche - Flying Spur's third dam - he is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Aysar (Deep Field). His dam is a half-sister to the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Russian Revolution (Snitzel) and the Group 3 mare Turbo Miss (Sebring).
Home Affairs' great grandsire Green Desert (USA) (Danzig {USA}) and dam sire Flying Spur (Danehill {USA}) are bred on the same Danzig (USA)/Sir Ivor (USA) (Sir Gaylord {USA}) cross.
Home Affairs | Image courtesy of Sportspix
Emergencies
No. 13 Kementari
Lonhro x Yavanna (Redoute's Choice)
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: TBC
Slotholder: N/A
Barrier: TBC
Purchased: Homebred for Godolphin
One of the great Lonhro's 92 stakes winners, he is a half-brother to the Listed Lonhro Plate winner Telperion (Street Cry {Ire}) from one of Australia's favourite families. A grandson of the dual Group 3 winner Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}), he has as his sixth dam the wonderful mare Denise's Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}).
Crosses of Sir Ivor (USA) (Sir Gaylord {USA}), Nureyev (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}), Relic (USA) (War Relic {USA}) and Never Bend (USA) (Nasrullah {Ire}) are features of Kementari's pedigree.
Kementari | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No. 14 Signore Fox
Exceed And Excel x Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold {USA})
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: TBC
Slotholder: N/A
Barrier: TBC
Purchased: $300,000 by Snowden Racing at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud
Signore Fox as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Boasting an international pedigree, this son of Exceed And Excel is out of the imported two times Group winner Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold {USA}) who has produced the Australian-bred South African Horse of the Year Oh Susanna (Street Cry {Ire}).
This branch of the Dame Masham (GB) (Galliard {GB}) family has been represented at Group 1 level by Spring At Last (USA) (Silver Deputy {Can}), Sharp Lisa (USA) (Dixieland Band {USA}), Foundry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Bien Bien (USA) (Manila {USA}).
Signore Fox is bred on a 7 X 7 cross of the excellent mare Bellesoeur (USA) (Beau Pere {GB}) and a 4 X 5 cross of His Majesty (USA) (Ribot {GB}) while also carrying a strain of that stallion's full brother Graustark (Ribot {GB}).
No. 15 Standout
Exceed And Excel x Bahia (Snippets)
Trainers: Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou
Jockey: TBC
Slotholder: N/A
Barrier: TBC
Purchased: Homebred for Corumbene Stud
Another for Exceed And Excel, this full brother to the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Overreach boasts multiple La Troienne (Fr) (Teddy {Fr}) strains including a 7 X 7 cross of that great mare's high-achieving granddaughter Striking (USA) (War Admiral {USA}).
His grandam is the fast triple stakes winner Miss Prospect (Rory's Jester) who produced Exceed And Excel's G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Reward For Effort and the durable triple stakes winner Consular (Royal Academy {USA}).
Standout | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
No.16 Chat
Deep Field x Only Words (End Sweep {USA})
Trainer: John Thompson
Jockey: TBC
Slotholder: N/A
Barrier: TBC
Purchased: $130,000 by John Thompson Racing at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Canning Downs Stud
Chat as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred on a 7 X 6 cross of Fanfreluche (Can) (Northern Dancer {Can}), this son of Deep Field is a half-brother to the G2 Autumn S. winner Holy Snow (Fastnet Rock) out of the four-time Group winner Only Words (End Sweep {USA}).
His grandam What Can I Say (NZ) (Khozaam {USA}) won two Group races while her dam Plans Awry (USA) (Topsider {USA}) was also a stakes winner. Her sire Topsider (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}) hails from the same prolific Dalmary (GB) (Blandford {Ire}) family as Deep Field's sire Northern Meteor (Encosta De Lago) and grandsire Fairy King (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}).
