Godolphin secures a place in Australia’s richest race

Godolphin has secured the 12th and final “slot” in the 2019 Everest, Australia’s richest race.

Godolphin Managing Director in Australia, Vin Cox said the ownership of a 2019 slot meant the stable could plan with certainty for this year’s race.

“A good opportunity arose to acquire a slot, allowing us to map out a program for whatever horse we choose to run without having to come to any arrangement with another party,” Cox said.

“The Everest is a great concept that adds a tremendous interest and excitement to the Sydney spring carnival and Godolphin is delighted to be a part of it.”

The Godolphin-owned Osborne Bulls finished third in the 2018 renewal under an arrangement with another slot holder, the Australian Turf Club.

Godolphin will finalise its entrant for the race after the stable’s likely contenders begin their spring preparations in the coming weeks with horses such as Osborne Bulls, Trekking and Alizee among the possibilities. 

“We have a number of elite sprinters in our racing team who are about to kick-off their spring campaigns – led by Alizee who is likely to trial this Friday at Rosehill. Now we have the surety of our own slot, it is a case of identifying which of our horses will be representing us in The Everest.

Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said, “There were many parties interested in the 2019 Everest Slot. The tenders lodged were very strong and extremely competitive both in terms of price and the benefit that the tenderers could add to The Everest.”

“Ultimately, the slot available through the tender process has been granted to Godolphin. Godolphin is the world’s largest and most successful owner of thoroughbred horses and its support and promotion of thoroughbred racing in Australia and internationally is unrivalled. The board was very impressed with Godolphin’s proposal and the benefits it will bring to both The Everest and Australian racing.”

The A$14 million The Everest, will be run over 1,200m at Randwick on Saturday, 19 October, with the 12 slots either used by their owners directly or traded with the owners of other horses.