European observers might be forgiven for only occasionally taking an interest in the evolving story of The Everest (G1), a race which will be staged for only the ninth time at Randwick Racecourse Oct. 18 and which has attracted only two runners from Europe during its brief history.
With a total prize fund of AU$20 million (approx. US$12.95 million), the upstart is the world's richest race on turf—second only to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on dirt in the global hierarchy—while the 12 slots in the starting gates are bought for AU$700,000 a time by some of the biggest racing, breeding, and betting entities around.
The 2025 edition offers a genuinely intriguing international element, as the Hong Kong Jockey Club has negotiated the "rental" of one of the 12 slots in conjunction with the Australian Turf Club, allowing superstar Ka Ying Rising the chance to prove his world-leading status can transfer beyond his regular Sha Tin playground.
Ka Ying Rising has won 14 of his 16 starts in Hong Kong, with a current winning streak of 13 featuring four group 1s.
With an international rating of 126 he has 9 pounds in hand over the next-best horses on the book, Joliestar (who receives the 4-pound mares' allowance) and Briasa, while he is trained in Hong Kong by a legend of the Australian turf in David Hayes.
A troubled prep or media hype?
The Everest has become such a media obsession in racing circles that the arrival of Ka Ying Rising was bound to provoke huge interest.
An underwhelming barrier trial at Randwick and a much more convincing solo turf breeze at the ATC's base for international runners at Canterbury Park fell either side of a bizarre episode featuring a hacked social media account and rumors that Ka Ying Rising was lame.
Hayes issued a positive update after Ka Ying Rising's Canterbury hit-out.
"I think he's really improved from that trial," Hayes said. "The idea of the trial was to bring him on, which I think it has. I would rate his performance then as seven out of 10.
"It must be remembered that he'd never seen Randwick before so he was having a look around. I'm sure if we were to trial him today he would be a nine out of 10 or a 10 out of 10."
Hayes added: "He's made the progression that we thought he would and I'm expecting a bold showing. I'm really happy and I love the weather pattern as well, a nice firm track will only help."
Ka Ying Rising's track record for 6 furlongs at Sha Tin is 1:07.20, while the best at Randwick belongs to Yes Yes Yes, who recorded 1:07.32 when winning the Everest in 2019.
Some rival trainers, including Chris Waller, have pointed to the hard base below the Sha Tin turf as adding to the speed that Ka Ying Rising displays on every start, though Hayes believes his champion might be able to do something very special on the clock from stall seven.
"In Sydney they've got a nice 600-700-meter run (to the turn) so the tempo is not quite as hectic," Hayes said. "The barrier is not so important for him because he's got incredible gate speed and he's got the ability to take a sit, so he's pretty foolproof.
"You're not normally going for records because you don't get paid any extra for it, but I'd say if the conditions are right on the weekend, he'll give the record a good shake. They'll have to be very good to beat him, and the market says that."
