Rare chance for owner-breeders to ascend Everest as race slot put up for sale

A rare opportunity to participate in the world’s richest race on turf has arisen after it was announced that Greg Ingham’s GPI Racing will auction off its slot in The Everest.

Inglis will manage the sale process, which will involve interested parties submitting bids during an expressions of interest period. The slot will be for three years, starting with this year’s running of the A$15 million (£8.4m/€9.7m) contest, which is scheduled to take place at Randwick on October 21.

Under the process, the new owner will act as ‘slot licensee’ and hold all pre- and post-race rights to the slot from the time of purchase until the end of the contracted period. The window for submissions has opened and will close on April 15 at 5pm AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Two years ago GPI Racing sold its slot to Bon Ho, whose star sprinter Classique Legend finished sixth. Last year's GPI Racing slot was secured by MiRunners, who initially selected Rothfire but subsequently had Eduardo finish 11th after their original pick was ruled out through injury.

Classique Legend won the race last year after Ho secured the ATC slot for three years.

“The Everest is the most incredible concept and we're delighted to be a part of it,” said Ingham.

“Mr Bon Ho participated in the race in 2019 on the GPI slot with Classique Legend and, while it didn’t work out on that occasion, it certainly whetted his appetite and he came back and won it in 2020, so we're excited by the prospect of another party taking up the use of our slot.

“The race is only going to get better and better and, with a bit of luck, it will be back to being a full house at Randwick for the 2021 edition later in the year.’’

The inaugural victor Redzel – who won consecutive Everests – retired with more than A$16m in prize-money. The 2019 winner Yes Yes Yes now stands as a stallion at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley, while last year’s one-two of Classique Legend and Godolphin's Bivouac were rated 2020 equal world’s best sprinters on 125, with Europe's best, Battaash, on 123.

Aidan O'Brien is the only European trainer to have participated in The Everest so far, with US Navy Flag finishing ninth in 2018 and Ten Sovereigns last of 12 the following year.

All expressions of interest in the GPI slot are to be made in writing to Inglis’ general manager of bloodstock sales and marketing Sebastian Hutch at sebastian.hutch@inglis.com.au.

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