Punters let loose in wild scenes at sold-out $20million Everest race day
The 2024 edition of The Everest has been run and won and it was another great day on and off the track at Royal Randwick in Sydney.
At the track, seven-year-old mare Bella Nipotina won the $20 million The Everest, the world’s richest race on artificial turf, on Saturday.
Bella Nipotina is the first mare to win Everest in her eight years.
Off court, King Charles and Queen Camilla may have been scrambling late after rumors they would be in attendance, but that didn’t stop tens of thousands of punters from having a blast.
There was 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 their first Australian tour as Royals, and the pair were spotted taking a leisurely stroll in the garden of Admiralty House on Sydney’s North Shore.
In addition to the $20 million The Everest, Saturday also saw 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.
There was a crash at one of the bends at Royal Randwick for the Everest run on Saturday
This racegoer found it easier to go barefoot as she left Royal Randwick on Saturday
The punter on the right needed some support from a mate after leaving Royal Randwick on Saturday
For the first time since its debut in 2017, Sydney’s main race day was officially sold out, setting the stage for an unforgettable spectacle.
Visitors of all ages, suited to the occasion, poured in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm.
Barefoot appeared to be the fashion choice for punters leaving Royal Randwick on Saturday
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.
This racegoer looked as if she was being carried over the threshold of Royal Randwick on Saturday
This lady was in great racing form for Saturday’s edition of The Everest at Royal Randwick
As punters left Royal Randwick on Saturday, many needed help, and some got carried away.
A young woman hitches a ride as she leaves Royal Randwick after the run of The Everest
The King Charles III stakes trophy was on display on Sydney Everest at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Despite rumors of an appearance, King Charles III himself was a late signer
This young racegoer was left footless and fantasy-free after celebrating a big day at the races
Punters left behind the remains of a big day out at Royal Randwick on Saturday
These ladies were in dire need of shoe work at Royal Randwick on Saturday
These two punters celebrated a big day at Royal Randwick for the 2024 edition of The Everest
Jockey Craig Williams (pictured right), rider of Bella Nipotina and trainer Cairon Maher (pictured left) collect the Everest 2024 trophy at Royal Randwick