The Everest, the world’s richest turf race, took place on October 15, 2023, at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse. This Group 1 sprint race covers 1,200 meters and boasts a $20 million (AUS) prize pool, making it the world’s richest turf race. Notably, it has a unique entry fee structure with 12 slots, each owned by a different holder. The race is a highly anticipated event in the Australian racing calendar, attracting top horses and jockeys, along with notable celebrities and dignitaries.
Jockey Sam Clipperton and the magnificent 5-year-old So You Think gelding, Think About It, also participated in this race and continued their breathtaking winning streak by conquering The TAB Everest, the world’s richest turf race, with a staggering purse of US $12.5 million. In a nail-biting finish, Think About It held off the competition, particularly I Wish I Win, to etch their names into the annals of horse racing history.
The epic ascent
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The stage was set, the atmosphere electric, as Think About It, a horse with an aura of invincibility showcased his prowess on the turf. Trained by the skilled Joe Pride, Think About It arrived at The TAB Everest with an impeccable record. Having already secured two Group 1 sprints during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and a victory in the Premiere Stakes (G2) two weeks prior, expectations ran high for the dynamic duo.
Drawing the perfect gate at number five, Think About It enjoyed an ideal position during the race, tracking just behind the leaders. As they entered the final quarter-mile, the pressure mounted, but this is where Think About It and Clipperton truly shone. The superstar bay demonstrated his exceptional ability to switch gears, surging ahead with a relentless determination that left spectators awestruck. In a heart-pounding climax, Think About It triumphed by a mere half-length, securing their ninth consecutive victory and completing the 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in a blistering 1:07.64, just a tick outside the course record held by Yes Yes Yes.
For Joe Pride, the trainer behind Think About It, this moment was the culmination of a dream. He compared it to conquering Mount Everest and humorously contemplated what comes next after such an extraordinary achievement. As he shared, “You feel like [Sir] Edmund Hillary, once you climb Mount Everest, what do you do after that? I’d love to climb it again, but it’s not going to feel as hard next time.” Yet, Still, Think About It’s victory reflects his exceptional lineage and meticulous breeding, solidifying his premier status in horse racing.
A horse of unparalleled quality
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Think About It is Bred by Lightning Thoroughbreds and raised at Newgate Farm. He is the best of three winners from his dam, Tiare, a half-sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Keen Array. With a grandam linked to Zabeel and two Group I winners in Hong Kong, The Duke and Sky Field, Think About It’s pedigree is laden with quality and promise.
A $70,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Proven Thoroughbreds/Joe Pride Racing, Think About It’s success on the track has exceeded all expectations. His victory in The TAB Everest, coupled with an illustrious record of 11 wins from 12 starts and lifetime purse earnings of AUS$10.9 million. As the curtain falls on this remarkable chapter in his career, it’s clear that Think About It’s legacy in the world of horse racing is destined for greatness.
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