Written by Kristen Manning
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The field for the 2024 Everest has been locked in with the slot holder's negotiations with owners taking place in recent weeks; a field of 12 high-quality sprinters to contest the eighth running of the rich event.
Each of the 12 Everest runners are facing their own bit of history to make; starting with the mares Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard), Joliestar (Zoustar), Sunshine In Paris (Invader), Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and I Am Me (I Am Invincible) and the filly Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) noting that there is yet to be a female Everest winner.
Gallery: Mares attempting to create history as the first female to win The Everest
Lady Of Camelot is one of the four 3-year-olds taking the more seasoned gallopers; Storm Boy (Justify {USA}), Growing Empire (Zoustar) and Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) the others.
That age group have fared well so far, The Everest won twice by 3-year-olds; Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) two years ago and Yes Yes Yes in 2019.
Giga Kick was having his fifth start on the back of wins in the G2 Danehill S. and the G3 Vain S., and he seeks to become the second dual Everest winner with Redzel (Snitzel) taking out the first two editions.
Storm Boy, yet formally confirmed for the race by Coolmore, has raced nine times, not far away at two runs since taking out the G3 San Domenico S. first-up. Growing Empire lines up for start number seven having won the G3 McNeil S. and the Listed Poseidon S. against his own age group before leading to the shadows of the post against the older horses in Southport Tycoon's (Written Tycoon) G1 Manikato S.
Gallery: Three-year-olds set to race in this year's The Everest
Traffic Warden is another with nine starts under his belt, winning the G2 Run To The Rose first-up before finding his in-form stablemate Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) too strong in the G1 Golden Rose.
Last year's winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) came through the G2 Premiere S. which provides two of this year's runners; Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick third and fourth in that lead-up.
I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) is another from the Manikato S. (flashing home late for third) whilst I Am Me and Stefi Magnetica were the first two home in the G2 The Shorts, a race also contested by Private Eye (Al Maher) and Lady Of Camelot.
Private Eye, who was sixth without the best of luck from a wide gate in that race, lines up for his third consecutive The Everest having been so tough in the placings in the last two years.
His trainer Joseph Pride won the race last year and should his charge succeed he will become the third dual Everest-winning stable (Giga Kick's trainer Clayton Douglas also attempting this feat); Redzel's Peter and Paul Snowden and Chris Waller the others.
Gallery: Sprinters making their comeback for another shot at Everest Glory, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Waller cheered home Nature Strip (Nicconi) in 2021 and Yes Yes Yes two years prior; this time around well-represented by Joliestar who is yet to run a bad race in her eight outings.
Ciaron Maher is the only trainer represented by three runners; saddling up the always gallant Bella Nipotina, I Am Me and Growing Empire.
Zoustar is the only stallion with multiple runners, represented by Joliestar and Growing Empire, noting that this Encosta De Lago sireline had the 2019 winner Yes Yes Yes by Rubick.
Rubick's close relation Redoute's Choice owns the sireline most successful in this race and its members this year are Sunshine In Paris and Giga Kick whilst Redoute's Choice's three-quarter brother Al Maher is the sire of Private Eye.
