RacingNSW boss Peter V’landys to run race honouring King Charles at Everest Spring Racing carnival
The richest race on grass gets even richer! Sporting supremo Peter V’landys seizes massive coup – with race to honor King Charles appearing alongside $20 million Everest
- Spring Carnival has a new $5 million race
- Breed named in honor of King Charles III
- Everest’s prize money rises to $20 million
Sydney’s Spring Carnival has a new $5 million race named in honor of King Charles III, while an increase in prize money makes Everest the world’s richest sprint race.
The inaugural $5 million King Charles III Stakes will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Royal Randwick alongside The TAB Everest during Sydney’s Spring Carnival.
The prize money for TAB Everest has now been increased to an eye-watering $20 million – making it the richest race on grass.
The Everest Gathering now boasts a total prize pool of nearly $35 million across its 10 races.
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys met with King Charles III at Royal Ascot last week to get approval to name the new Sydney race after His Majesty.
Sydney’s Spring Carnival has a new $5 million race named in honor of King Charles III alongside The Everest
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys (pictured right) met King Charles III at Royal Ascot last week to get approval to name the new Sydney race after His Majesty
“I have never met anyone who had such a passion for racing as the late Queen Elizabeth II,” said V’landys.
“Her knowledge was breathtaking.”
“The King is new to racing and was very pleased that we named an Everest Day feature race after him. I think eventually he will love racing as much as his mother did.”
Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding said: ‘The King Charles III Stakes create a new level of excitement for the Sydney Everest Carnival, with a signature open age mile race boosting an already mouthwatering Everest Day gathering.’
‘It also befits Royal Randwick to hold a feature race in the spring, named in His Majesty’s honour, to compliment the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in the autumn, with Royal Randwick being Australia’s only Royal Racecourse.’
Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said racing is a major contributor to the NSW economy.
“Last year, more than 46,000 people visited The Everest in Royal Randwick and spent money in restaurants, pubs and hotels across the city,” said Harris.
“The increased prize money for The Everest and the addition of the King Charles III race will create an even bigger and better event this year, positively impacting the 50,000 people directly and indirectly employed in the NSW racing industry.”
An increase in prize money now makes Everest the world’s richest sprint race
The Everest Gathering now boasts a total prize pool of nearly $35 million across 10 races
Mr Balding announced that with the prize money increase, the TAB Everest is now the second richest race in the world after the $28 million Saudi Cup.
“This further increase in prize money is not only recognition of the TAB Everest as the highest rated race in Australia, but also of the year-round success this event has created throughout the NSW Thoroughbred Industry,” he said.
“Since its first edition in 2017, the TAB Everest has been consistently rated as the highest or equally highest sprint race in the world.”