All places snapped up for world's richest turf race The Everest

Places for the world’s richest turf race have sold out, with all 12 slots for The Everest at Randwick on October 14 filled.

The A$10 million (£6.18m) contest, a 6f weight-for-age race modelled on the $12m Pegasus World Cup run at Gulfstream Park in January, involves groups paying A$1.8m (£1.1m) to secure a place for a runner for the next three years.

Buyers include leading owner Damion Flower, bloodstock agent James Harron, Sydney hotel and casino group The Star, Tabcorp and the Australian Turf Club, which plans to offer the slot as a wildcard closer to the race. A full list of buyers is set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

She Will Reign, winner of the Golden Slipper, has already been confirmed as a runner in The Everest, while top sprinter Chautauqua is also a probable runner after his owners were revealed as buyers of a slot.

Andrew Williams, representing GPI Racing’s Greg Ingham, who is a co-owner of Chautauqua, told The Daily Telegraph: “Greg wanted the horse to run in the race and he is so excited about the concept.

“GPI Racing is the owner of the slot and at this point in time Chautauqua is going to head there if, touch wood, everything goes in the right direction. He runs on Saturday in the TJ Smith Stakes and then a decision will be made by what direction they are going to go en route to [The Everest].”

Russell Balding, chairman of Racing NSW, said: “I’m delighted to announce we have filled all 12 places in The Everest. We are proud Sydney will now have the world’s richest turf race and this will ensure an international focus for thoroughbred racing in Sydney.”