Cover image courtesy of Racing NSW
Triple Crown Syndications’ gun sprinter Redzel (Snitzel) won the first two editions of The Everest (in 2017 and 2018). On both occasions, he was partnered by Kerrin McEvoy, who also guided Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) to victory in 2020.
The race has been won six times by geldings, with Yes Yes Yes the outlier. He won as a 3-year-old colt in 2019. That triumph cemented his future at stud and he was immediately retired. The son of Rubick stands at Coolmore at a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).
In 2021, sprinting great Nature Strip (Nicconi) was first home for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while last year, it was Clayton Douglas’ Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) who scored an upset win in the hands of Craig Williams.
This year’s field comprises five geldings, two 4-year-old entires, three mares and two 3-year-olds colts.
No.1 - I Wish I Win (NZ)
5-year-old gelding, Savabeel x Make A Wish (NZ) (PIns)
Trainers: Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Waikato Stud
Slot-holder: Trackside Media
Sale information: This gelding is a homebred for Waikato Stud and was not offered at public auction.
I Wish I Win (NZ) is from a two-time winner who has also produced the Group 3 scorer Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). I Wish I Win’s second dam, Starcent (NZ) (Centaine), won five races, including two Group 3s. She is a sister to Professionelle (NZ) who has thrown stakes winners Prisoner Of Love (Canny Lad), Hoystar (Danzero), Sportsman (Supremo {USA}) and King Of Prussia. Starcent is a daughter of the Group 2 victress Star Of The Knight (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who was purchased by Garry Chittick 35-odd years ago.
I Wish I Win (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
No.2 - Private Eye
6-year-old gelding, Al Maher x Confidential Queen (Shamardal {USA})
Trainer: Joseph Pride
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Goodwood Farm
Slot-holder: Max Whitby and Neil Werrett
Sale information: Proven Thoroughbreds and Pride Thoroughbreds combined to pay $62,500 for him from the Ambergate Farm draft at the 2029 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale (Session 1).
Private Eye is from a winless mare who is a half-sister to the stakes performer and Listed-producing sire King’s Troop. The gelding is closely related to the elite-level winner and Group 1-producing sire Snitzel and the Group 3 scorer Hinchinbrook, who is also a Group 1-producing stallion, as well as the Group 3 victress Viennese (Redoute’s Choice) and this year’s G1 Epsom H. hero Rediener (Redoute’s Choice).
No.3 - Think About It
5-year-old gelding, So You Think (NZ) x Tiare (Flying Spur)
Trainer: Joseph Pride
Jockey: Sam Clipperton
Barrier: 5
Breeder: Lightning Thoroughbreds
Slot-holder: Newgate and GPI Racing
Sale information: Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride Racing went to $70,000 for this gelding at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale (Book 1). He was offered by Newgate Farm.
He is out of a 1300-metre winner who is a half-sister to the Group 2 victor Keen Array (Bel Esprit). Think About It is closely related to the stakes winners Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), The Duke (Danehill {USA}) and Sky Field (Deep Field).
No.4 - Mazu
5-year-old gelding, Maurice (Jpn) x Chatelaine (Flying Spur)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Parsons Creek Trading
Slot-holder: The Star and Arrowfield
Sale information: Mazu realised $180,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, with Triple Crown Syndications buying him from the Parsons Creek Pastoral Co. consignment.
Mazu as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
He is from a three-time winner and Group 2 placegetter who has thrown the Group 1 heroine and Champion 2YO Filly in Australia in 2008/09 Headway (Charge Forward). The Listed Redoute’s Choice S. winner Let Me Sleep On It (Manhattan Rain) and the stakes performer Late Night Fun (Handy Proverb) also feature on Mazu’s page.
No.5 - Overpass
5-year-old gelding, Vancouver x Walkway (Exceed And Excel)
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Joshua Parr
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Corumbene Stud
Slot-holder: Australian Turf Club
Sale information: Corumbene Stud offered Overpass at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (Round 2) and Darby Racing and Will Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $75,000 for him.
Overpass, winner of the $4 million The Quokka | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
The gelding is from a two-time winner at 1000 metres. Overpass’ second dam, Boardwalk Bell (Bellotto {USA}), is a half-sister to the great Northerly (Serheed {USA}) - a winner of nine races at the highest level, as well as the Group 2 scorer North Boy (Rory’s Jester) and the Group 3 victress Northern Song (Rory’s Jester).
No.6 - Buenos Noches
4-year-old horse, Supido x Koi (Northern Meteor)
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Jockey: Dylan Gibbons (a)
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Widden Stud
Slot-holder: TAB
Sale information: Trainer Matthew Smith paid just $40,000 for Buenos Noches from the Widden Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (Highway Session).
He is from an unraced three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Into Orbit (Northern Meteor). Buenos Noches’ grandam, Feng Shui Baby (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), is an unraced sister to the Group 2 winner Just Dancing and a half-sister to the Group 3 scorers Hidden Dragon and Tahni Girl (Redoute’s Choice). Hidden Dragon is a Group 2-producing stallion, while Tahni Girl has produced the stakes winners Kentucky Breeze (Pierro) and Maschino. The latter is a Group 2-producing sire. The gelding’s third dam, Ballroom Babe (NZ) (Citidancer {Ire}), was a brilliant filly/mare, prevailing in Group 1 grade on three occasions.
No.7 - Hawaii Five Oh
4-year-old horse, I Am Invincible x Aloha (Encosta De Lago)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 10
Breeder: Gerry Harvey
Slot-holder: Aquis Farm
Sale information: This entire was not offered at public auction. He is owned by his breeder Gerry Harvey and and long-time friend John Singleton.
Hawaii Five Oh | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
A full brother to the ill-fated talented sprinter Libertini (I Am Invincible) - a triple Group 2 victress, Hawaii Five Oh is from an eight-time winner and Group 1 heroine. Aloha is a half-sister to Midnight Rock (Rory’s Jester) - the dam of the Group 2 winner My Emotion (NZ) (Savabeel). Hawaii Five Oh’s grandam is the Listed victress Tennessee Midnight (Danehill {USA}). This is also the family of the Group 1 winners Malaguerra (Magnus), Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook) and Cool Aza Beel (NZ).
No.8 - Alcohol Free (Ire)
6-year-old mare, No Nay Never (USA) x Playing (USA) (Hard Spun {USA})
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 7
Breeder: Churchtown House Stud
Slot-holder: Yulong Investments
Sale information: Acting through BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe, Yulong secured Alcohol Free (Ire) for 5,400,000gns (AU$10.9 million) at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Prior to export to Australia, the Churchtown House Stud-bred mare was trained by Andrew Balding.
Alcohol Free is from a three-time winner who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Kissing Lights (Ire) (Machiavellian {USA}).
The mare is a half-sibling to the Listed winner Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and the stakes performer Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles (Ire}).
No.9 - In Secret
4-year-old mare, I Am Invincible x Eloping (Choisir)
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Zac Purton
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia
Slot-holder: Godolphin
Sale information: Godolphin Australia went to $900,000 for her at the 20211 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when she was offered by Segenhoe Stud.
In Secret | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The mare is out of a former top-class filly/mare, one that tasted success on seven occasions, including twice in Group 3 class. Eloping is a sister to the stakes performer Jesse’s Girl and a three-quarter sister to the Group 3 winner Of The Brave (Starspangledbanner). In Secret’s third dam is the stakes performer Runaway Babe (Semipalatinsk {USA}) and she herself has thrown the Group 3 scorer All Courage (Danzero).
No.10 - Espiona
5-year-old mare, Extreme Choice x Dahooil (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ})
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Torryburn Stud
Slot-holder: Chris Waller Racing
Sale information: Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) signed for Espiona at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, paying $190,000 for her from the draft of Torryburn Stud.
The mare is from a 1400-metre winner who is a sister to the Listed victress Bonny O’Reilly (NZ) and a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 winners Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Escadaire (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). Dahooil (NZ) is also a half-sister to the Listed scorer Pretty To Sea (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). Other stakes winners on Espiona’s page include Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel), Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}).
No.11 - Shinzo
3-year-old colt, Snitzel x Samaready (More Than Ready {USA})
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Katom (Coolmore Australia)
Slot-holder: Coolmore
Sale information: This colt is a homebred for Coolmore Australia and was not offered at public auction.
Shinzo | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Shinzo is from Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}) - the winner of the 2012 G1 Blue Diamond S. and 2013 G1 Moir S. Samaready has also produced the 2019 R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic heroine Exhilarates (Snitzel). Shinzo is also closely related to the top-flight winners Almalad (Al Maher) and County Tyrone (Danewin), as well as the Group 2 victress Night War (General Nediym).
No.12 - Cylinder
3-year-old colt, Exceed And Excel x Circular (Street Cry {Ire})
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Zac Lloyd (a)
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Godolphin Australia
Slot-holder: James Harron Bloodstock
Sale information: This colt is a homebred for Godolphin Australia and was not offered at public auction.
Cylinder is out of a five-time winner, who saluted in Group 3 company and has thrown the two-time Group 3 victress Parisal (Astern). Stakes winners featuring on the colt’s page include the brilliant Lonhro, Niello, Diamond Deck (NZ) (Octagonal {NZ}), Albrecht, Shannara (Octagonal {NZ}), King’s Command (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal {USA}).
