Redzel - the only dual winner of the TAB Everest
Top sprinter claimed the first two Everest trophies
October 13, 2023
As the anticipation builds towards the running of the seventh $20million TAB Everest, we look back at the feats of Redzel – the only dual winner of the world’s richest race on turf.
The Team Snowden galloper went into the inaugural Everest in 2017 as an $8.50 chance, however, his form was first rate. Earlier that year during The Championships, Redzel had finished runner-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and Group 1 Galaxy behind English and Russian Revolution respectively before landing successive wins and ending his prep with an all-the-way in the Doomben 10,000.
Returning from a spell, he won consecutive races and was considered a solid eachway chance heading into the TAB Everest. Vega Magic, the Victorian out of the Hayes barn, started a $4.80 favourite in front of Golden Slipper and Moir Stakes winner, She Will Reign ($5.50).
Queensland speedster Houtzen burst out of the gates to lead with Redzel (Kerrin McEvoy) forced to do all the work outside of it. Hitting the lead on straightening, the son of Snitzel kicked strongly to hold off the fast-finishing Vega Magic, with Brave Smash grabbing third in front of the late-closing Chautauqua.
It was victory for Peter & Paul Snowden, McEvoy and slotholders Triple Crown Syndications with James Harron.
The Snowdens then gave the gelding one more start which he saluted in at Group 1 level in Melbourne (Darley Classic).
Click here to relive the 2017 TAB Everest. Attendance on the day was recorded at more than 33,000 people.
Autumn saw him winning The Challenge Stakes and finishing second in the Lightning Stakes and TJ Smith Stakes. Going into the 2018 Everest, he won the Concorde and ran fifth in the Premiere but the Heavy track at Royal Randwick on 13 October played into his hands.
A noted wet track specialist, Redzel led all-the-way under testing conditions to go back-to-back and claim the first two Everests, once again, under the guidance of McEvoy. Trapeze Artist and Osborne Bulls filled the minors with Redzel returning $8.50 for the win – just as he did 12 months earlier.
This time, it was Yulong Investments for Yuesheng Zhang, who had secured Redzel for their slot.
There wasn’t to be a three-peat for Redzel though. Going around as a $13 chance in the 2019 edition, he would finish eighth of 12 behind three-year-old Yes Yes Yes (Glen Boss and Chris Waller) in a race record time.
The Snowdens would give him one more campaign in the Autumn of 2020, where he finished in the placings at all three runs – two at Group 1 level – with his final start being a third behind Nature Strip in the TJ Smith Stakes.
See the runners for this year’s TAB Everest here while a list of previous winners of the race can be found here.
REDZEL
Breeding: Gelding, Snitzel out of Millrich
Trainers: Peter & Paul Snowden
Record: 39s: 15w – 13p
Prizemoney: $16,414,000
Redzel will lead the 2023 TAB Everest field out and be available for fans to meet him in raceday stall 13 from 2pm.