The Everest has been given a badge of prestige to align with its standing as one of the world’s richest thoroughbred races after a Racing Australia decision to elevate the $20 million weight-for-age sprint to Group 1 status.
In a move that confirms peace has been brokered in the racing wars between NSW and Victoria, the Everest has been recognised for consistently producing high-rating editions since it was first run in 2017.
Victoria’s All-Star Mile has also been granted Group 1 status, ensuring there will be 76 elite-level races run in Australia this season.
The Asian Racing Federation has approved the upgrades.
Racing Australia’s announcement on Wednesday will mean next week’s Everest will carry black-type status for the first time.
Racing NSW has pushed for the Everest to be included on Australia’s Group 1 roster since it became obvious the race had established itself as a jewel of spring racing.
However, the Everest’s introduction to the Sydney spring was met with stern resistance from Victorian racing powerbrokers because its placement encroached on the Melbourne carnival.
The Everest’s bona fides have also been questioned because of how the field is put together.
It involves 12 slotholders who pay $700,000 each annually for the right to select a horse and Racing Victoria consistently vetoed Racing NSW’s bid to have the Everest awarded Group 1 status.
But new guidelines for Australian black-type races and a change in personnel at Racing Victoria paved the way for a breakthrough.
“Following the recent agreement and adoption of the Australian Black Type Guidelines by the Racing Australia Board, a review of races under those guidelines is being conducted,” a Racing Australia statement read.
“The All-Star Mile and The Everest race upgrades have been ratified internationally.
“Whilst these upgrades will take immediate effect, further analysis and review of all black-type races is being undertaken with the expectation that further announcements will be made in the near future.”
Following the fresh black-type guidelines, the Everest has secured its Group 1 standing after it received an international rating of 120.5 in 2021, 120.8 in 2022 and a 120.5 last year when won by Think About It.
"The Everest has been consistently one of the top-rated sprint races in the world and one of Australia’s highest-rated races,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys told The Straight.
“Accordingly, its Group 1 status is well deserved."
Racing Victoria said the All-Star’s alumni justified its move to a Group 1 race.
“The All-Star Mile has surpassed the Group 1 rating benchmark of 115 in each of its six editions and thus is worthy of carrying this elite status,” it said in a statement.
Matt Stewart
The All-Star Mile was run for the first time in 2019, but there were concerns that the race had already lost its lustre ahead of this year’s edition, won by Pride Of Jenni.
But its future as a centrepiece race for the Melbourne autumn carnival would now seem secure.
“This year’s All-Star Mile winner Pride of Jenni was crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year last night and superstars in Mr Brightside and Zaaki precede her on the honour roll,” Racing Victoria said.
“With the All-Star Mile finding a new home at Flemington on Super Saturday 2025 (8 March), the race is now firmly entrenched as Victoria’s premier mile race of the autumn and a key feature on the Australian racing calendar.”
The NSW spring racing schedule has also been bolstered with black-type upgrades to a further 12 races.
Among the most significant is the elevation of The Invitation, a 1400m race for fillies and mares, to Group 2 level.
"The Everest has been consistently one of the top-rated sprint races in the world and one of Australia’s highest-rated races. Accordingly, its Group 1 status is well deserved"- Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys
The Hunter, a 1400m race held during Newcastle’s standalone Saturday meeting in November, has also gained Group 2 status.
Two new black-type supporting races during the Everest meeting at Randwick have also been confirmed with the Silver Eagle for four-year-olds and the St Leger to be decided at Group 3 level.
The Reginald Allen Quality on the day has been lifted from Listed to Group 3.
