And they’re off! Glamorous racegoers flood into Royal Randwick as Everest gates open and punters gear up for Sydney’s richest race

Tens of thousands of glamorous racegoers have streamed through the gates of Royal Randwick ahead of the start of Sydney’s richest race.

The 2024 Everest at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, billed as ‘the richest race in the world’, is expected to attract almost 50,000 punters.

During the race itself, 12 of the fastest horses will compete over a distance of 1,200 meters for a chance to win the $20,000,000 prize pool.

Racegoers are expected to devour more than 10,000 cocktail cakes and 14,000 plates of food in the catering industry – all washed down with an estimated 500,000 drinks.

Visitors of all ages, suited to the occasion, poured in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm.

Some members were even spotted sprinting towards the gate, while others happily posed for the cameras.

A group of women wearing fascinators and winter coats over their dresses waited patiently at the turnstiles.

But younger racegoers were apparently less concerned about having the right clothes for the cloudy spring weather.

Some members were even spotted sprinting towards the gate…

…while others happily posed for the cameras

For general admission, there is no formal dress code to follow, but punters are asked to avoid fancy dress, ripped clothing and thongs

Visitors of all ages, suited to the occasion, poured in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm.

Members are expected to adhere to a strict dress code.

For female members, jeans, leggings, parkas, playsuits, duffle coats and “midriff-revealing garments” are all prohibited.

Male members are “required to wear slacks, dress shoes, a collared shirt and tie, and a jacket, sport coat or blazer.”

Caps with peaks, hats and shirts with open necks or shirts without collars are prohibited.

For general admission, there is no formal dress code to follow, but punters are asked to avoid fancy dress, ripped clothing and thongs.

There is feverish speculation that King Charles could put the ‘royal’ in Royal Randwick by appearing at the sold-out event.

However, Saturday is officially listed as a rest day on his Australian tour, as the pair were spotted taking a leisurely stroll in the gardens of Admiralty House on Sydney’s North Shore.

In addition to the $20 million TAB Everest, Saturday also sees the second running of the $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing.

A group of women wearing fascinators and winter coats over their dresses waited patiently at the turnstiles

But younger racegoers were apparently less concerned about having the right clothes for the cloudy spring weather

Racegoers are expected to devour more than 10,000 cocktail cakes and 14,000 plates of food in the catering industry – all washed down with more than 500,000 drinks.

There is feverish speculation that King Charles could put the ‘royal’ in Royal Randwick by appearing at the sold-out event