AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB WELCOMES 2021 EVEREST CARNIVAL

September 16, 2021

Sydney’s prestigious Everest Carnival (18 September–30 October) with almost $50 million in prizemoney led by the world’s richest turf race the $15 million The TAB Everest and the $7.5 million XXXX Golden Eagle has launched at a COVIDSafe event with key players of the turf and fashion.

VIP guests included NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, The Hon. Kevin Anderson MP, Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley, champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy, star horse trainer John O’Shea, former Group 1 jockey and ATC Racing Ambassador Katelyn Mallyon and ATC stylist Donny Galella attended.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley welcomed the COVIDSafe 2021 Everest Carnival, which commences this Saturday with Fujitsu General George Main Stakes Day at Royal Randwick.

“The Everest Carnival is one of the fastest growing, world-leading events in Australia,’’ Mr Barkley said.

“Whilst we’ll be operating a little differently to start this spring, the racing program is world-class and is supported by an interactive experience from home with Fashion Stakes, Tastes from the Track Hampers, weekly rewards and competitions to give everybody a chance to get involved in the action.

“We continue to work with the NSW Government and Racing NSW to get punters back to the track at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens in a COVIDSafe environment during the Spring Racing Carnival.’’

Three-time The TAB Everest winning rider Kerrin McEvoy, who rode Classique Legend to victory in last year’s edition believes the pair can score back-to-back victories and looks forward to partnering the Les Bridge-trained six-year-old grey in a likely first up return in the Premiere Stakes on 2 October.

“Classique Legend is right in the mix to win another The TAB Everest and I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse. My bloke has a heart of gold and winning instinct. He loves Royal Randwick and is coming back into form at the right time having won a nice trial last Friday beating a handy field,” explained McEvoy.

Group 1 winning horse trainer John O’Shea who saddles up 8-1 The TAB Everest contender, Lost And Running, is looking forward to the coming weeks with a stable of promising horses, including touted international import Maximal, a three-quarter brother to the legendary Frankel, who arrives on 9 October and is being aimed at the XXXX Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens.

“Sydney Spring Racing and the Everest Carnival has taken on a whole new perspective so with prospects like Lost And Running, Maximal and Berdibek, the latter who is on track for The Metropolitan, makes life a bit more exciting.

“Lost And Running is in great order at this stage of his preparation and I think he’ll be competitive in The TAB Everest. Maximal comes to us with solid European form lines, exceptional breeding and a good fitness base so we’re looking forward to seeing how he settles in ahead of the XXXX Golden Eagle,” said O’Shea.

Former Group 1 jockey and ATC Racing Ambassador Katelyn Mallyon believes the depth of Sydney racing is superior.

“It’s an exciting time for racing fans. We’re spoilt for choice with such a high-quality field of sprinters including  Nature Strip, Masked Crusader and Classique Legend in The TAB Everest. There’s seems no limits to star colt Anamoe, a likely starter in the XXXX Golden Rose next weekend, talented New Zealand visitor Entriviere who recently won the Sheraco Stakes is one to watch, while M’ounga and Maximal lead the charge in the XXXX Golden Eagle,” said Mallyon.

Whether celebrating your raceday from home or enjoying a day trackside, stylish racing fans (women, men and households’) can win a share of $25,000 in cash and prizes from Dyson, Chandon, FIGUR, Runway Room, Jo Malone London and White Claw by getting dressed up and entering the ATC’s national online Fashion Stakes competition.

Entrants can upload a photo or video of themselves in racewear to australianturfclub.com.au/fashionstakes across the following three racedays:

• Fujitsu General George Main Stakes Day, Royal Randwick, Saturday 18 September
• Everest Day, Royal Randwick, Saturday 16 October
• Golden Eagle Day, Rosehill Gardens, Saturday 30 October

Australian Turf Club Stylist and Resident Fashion Stakes Judge, Donny Galella says showing confidence, attention to detail and adopting vibrant spring colours are ways to grab attention with your raceday look this Everest Carnival.

“There are many glorious colours to take advantage of this spring including red, pink, mango, emerald, blue and gold metallic hues. We’ll also be seeing voluminous sleeves, ruffles, floral patterns and new shades in men’s suiting including khaki, camel and olive,” explains Donny.

“A standout raceday look for me is always in the detail, whether that be a statement accessory, harmonious colour tones, pattern socks, grooming and balanced hair and makeup to go with headwear.”

To enhance your raceday experience from home, delicious Tastes from The Track Hampers curated by Australian Turf Club’s award-winning chefs are available for purchase with optional beverage upgrades from Moét & Chandon,  Heineken, XXXX and Kosciuszko, along with weekly prizes, competitions and exclusive content.

For all the Group 1 Saturday action tune in to Channel 7 live and free, or via Sky Racing. For more information visit australianturfclub.com.au.

Please find links for editorial use to:

2021 Everest Carnival Launch VNR

2021 ATC Stylist Donny Galella on Spring Fashion Stakes and trends VNR

Social media: IG: @australianturfclub FB: Australian Turf Club T: @aus_turf_club

#EverestCarnival #Funofftrack

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Everest Carnival offers almost $50 million in prizemoney to connections and six Group 1 races across seven weeks.

2021 Everest Carnival Dates

Saturday 18 September – Fujitsu General George Main Stakes Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 25 September – XXXX Golden Rose Day, Rosehill Gardens (venue TBC)

Saturday 2 October – TAB Epsom Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 9 October – Moét & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 16 October – Everest Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 25 October – City Tattersalls Club Cup Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 30 October – Golden Eagle Day, Rosehill Gardens

Supporting Spring Dates:

Tuesday 2 November – Bentley Cup Day, Royal Randwick

Saturday 6 November – Ladies Golden Gift Day, Rosehill Gardens

NSW Racing and Everest Carnival Economic contribution

• Racing across NSW contributes $3.5 billion to the NSW economy, supports 27,600 jobs and contributes $250 million in taxes to NSW Government each year Sydney Everest Carnival generates $96.8 million^ in NSW economic benefit and supports more than 2,000 full and part-time jobs. If the Spring Carnival operated under a reduced capacity of 1:4, capped at 25% Indoors and outdoors, this would still result in an estimated NSW Economic benefit of $14 million.

^From local and visitor spend including hospitality, accommodation, fashion and retail. This is non-COVID data – 2019 Everest Carnival – IER analysis.

• Sydney racing is anticipated to be seen by over 9.5 million viewers across Australia and in over 66 countries internationally via the Carnival’s broadcast partners Channel 7 and Sky Racing platforms.

For further information, interview requests or editorial and imagery assets, please contact:

Sarah Peatling | ATC PR Manager | speatling@australianturfclub.com.au | 0415 483 750

For media accreditation enquiries, please contact:

Brett DeVine | ATC General Manager Communications | bdevine@australianturfclub.com.au