The war between Sydney and Melbourne could reach boiling point, with Australia’s largest city set to host the nation’s, and the world’s, richest horse race on turf.
The Melbourne Cup had previously held the mantle as Australia’s top earning thoroughbred race, however Randwick’s Everest sprint in October now boasts a purse of $10 million.
The race is set to be run over 1200m, and will attract some of the world’s best horses, with the advantage of the race taking place just before the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Only two other thoroughbred races eclipse The Everest in of prizemoney, however both the $US12 million Pegasus World Cup (Florida) and the $US10 million Dubai World Cup are run on dirt.
The weight-for-age race will be held on October 14, according to Racing NSW chief executive, Peter V’landys.
Entry to the race will cost a cool $600,000, with a field of 12 runners the expected maximum — with those buying entry guaranteed a start for their horse, or for a horse they lease or sell the starting spot to.
The race means Australia’s best sprinters won’t have to travel overseas to compete in the world’s most prestigious races.
Forget Randwick and Rosehill, the Sydney Harbour Bridge could be the newest destination to hold a race meeting.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting Racing NSW is in discussions with an English promoter to make horse racing alive on one of the world’s most renowned landmarks.
There would be a total of six races held during the same time as the $10 million Everest at Randwick in October 2018.
English entrepreneurs Olly Neil and Andy King have created a portable racing track that they are hoping to showcase next year.
“We will create a global circuit of horse racing events with high-quality local horses thundering down iconic city streets ridden by the world’s top jockeys,” Neil told Britain’s Racing Post.
“We’re going to do for horse racing what Twenty20 has done for cricket and 3×3 for basketball – reinterpreting the sport of kings for a young urban audience and dialling up on technology, entertainment, excitement and energy.”
