Sport
Guide
Everest Carnival: your guide to the 2019 event
Stretching from September to November, and set across some of Sydney's most-prized racecourses, Everest Carnival will once again put Sydney on the world stage thanks to a stellar seven weeks of world-class horse racing.
With seven jam-packed weeks of world-class thoroughbred action, Sydney’s Everest Carnival is unlike any other event on the racing calendar. Want to dive right in? Here’s a guide to everything you need to know.
What is the Everest Carnival?
Launching on Saturday 21 September and running until Saturday 2 November, Everest Carnival transforms Sydney’s Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens into a flurry of activity, featuring some of the world’s finest racehorses. The 2019 edition welcomes a raft of new $1m+ races including the new $7.5M Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens plus, of course, the return of the world’s richest race on turf, The TAB Everest.
Off-the-track, the Australian Turf Club has attracted Sydney’s finest street food vendors, a myriad of champagne and cocktail bars, award-winning chefs, fashion competitions, and sets from some of Australia’s best entertainers to keep the party going long past dusk.
What are the key race days?
Colgate Optic White Stakes Day
Taking place at Royal Randwick on Saturday 21 September, Stakes Day will open the Everest Carnival in fine form. The $500,000 race has been won by legendary mare Winx for the past three years, but after retiring earlier this year, there will be a new Stakes Day champion crowned in 2019. Known for its vibrant social scene, there is just as much fun to have off the track, with pop-up bars, live music, and the launch of Pony Palms in the general admission area (but more on that gem later). You can also enjoy a spot of croquet in the TAB Country Club, enjoy make-up touch-ups and a complimentary beauty concierge station at the Colgate Optic White Smile Studio, and check in on the Wallabies World Cup clash with Fiji on screens across the racecourse.
De Bortoli Golden Rose
Rosehill Gardens’ opening day takes place a week later, on Saturday 28 September. Highlighted by the $1 million De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes. All eyes will be on the 2019 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi, as the Golden Rose marks the second leg of the Golden Slam. Don’t worry – AFL fans can also enjoy the Grand Final on big screens throughout the racecourse.
TAB Epsom
On Saturday 5 October at Royal Randwick, Everest Carnival’s biggest day of Group 1 racing, TAB Epsom Day features three Group 1 races. Headlined by the $1 million TAB Epsom, the day boasts over $3.8 million in prize money. As well as a huge day of racing, there is also a massive day of entertainment and music on the cards – including a special performance from party band Furnace and the Fundamentals taking place after the last race.
Moёt & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day
Fashion takes centre stage at Royal Randwick on Saturday 12 October with the Harrolds Fashion Chute competition proving a highlight to this vibrant social race day. It wouldn’t be the Everest Carnival without a strong racecard and this is no different, highlighted by the Group 1 $1 million Moёt & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes.
The Everest
It’s all in the name really – the pinnacle of the Everest Carnival lands at Royal Randwick on Saturday 19 October. Featuring 12 horses across 1200 metres, with $14 million to be won in little over a minute, The TAB Everest really is heart-stopping stuff. Standing as the world’s richest turf race, it attracts the world’s best sprinters and shines a global spotlight on Sydney’s racing HQ. Who will be holding up the 27kg, 7777-black-diamond-encrusted trophy at the end of a stellar nine-race day of racing?
City Tattersalls Club Cup Day
City Tattersalls Club Cup Day will take to Royal Randwick on Saturday 26 October, this year featuring a new event – the $1 million Bondi Stakes, a new target for three-year-olds during the spring. You’ll be one of the first people to see history made when the inaugural winner is crowned.
Golden Eagle
The Everest Cup has a new closing event in 2019, with the inaugural Golden Eagle taking flight at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 2 November. The 1500m race for four-year-olds is Australia’s third-richest race, with ten per cent of the $7.5 million prizemoney immediately being donated to winning owners’ charity of choice.
What is happening off the track?
Pony Palms
The latest addition to Royal Randwick, Pony Palms is a new experience in General Admission inspired by the golden age of Palm Springs. Offering retro poolside glamour alongside live music, you’ll be transported back to the days of Sinatra and Hepburn. Champagne cocktails will be flowing, exciting food vendors will be onsite, and background beats will be provided by the hottest DJs from across the country including Yolanda Be Cool, Jesabel, Set Mo, and Nat Sax. With racetrack views from Leger Lawn, you’ll be right in the heart of the action.
The Estate
The Estate is Royal Randwick’s new, luxurious trackside precinct. Offering an exclusive trackside environment, best-in-class entertainment, the finest fare and exemplary service, the opulent design and uninterrupted trackside views within The Estate are second-to-none.
French culinary maestro Guillaume Brahimi will curate a special menu for guests of The Estate featuring some of his most iconic dishes.
The Estate features two prestigious venues:
The Manor is a private haven featuring old-world luxuries that are perfect for corporate entertaining. Designed with a contemporary English homestead feel, The Manor offers private suites to entertain your clients or guests in style.
The Conservatory is located right next to all the trackside action and welcomes a lively environment to entertain in. Celebrate Sydney’s Spring racing in The Conservatory’s airy, glass-walled venue.
Live Music
As well as world-class racing, the Everest Cup also welcomes a mighty fine lineup of performers. While the TAB Everest performance hasn’t been announced yet – though they’ve hinted at a major act that has us very excited – they have already locked in a slew of musical talent.
- Set Mo ft Woodes – Colgate Optic White Stakes Day @ Royal Randwick on Saturday 21 September
- Furnace and the Fundamentals – Tab Epsom Day @ Royal Randwick on Saturday 5 October
- Client Liaison – Moёt & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day @ Royal Randwick on Saturday 12 October
- Yolanda Be Cool, Set Mo, Jesabel, Natalie Sax – Pony Palms @ Royal Randwick at various times throughout the Everest Carnival
For those who can’t get to the Carnival – or for anyone who wants to keep the festival action going – Royal Randwick hosts a full afternoon of racing on Melbourne Cup day (Tuesday 5 November) so clock off early with your workmates to soak up the spring sunshine, catch a live set from Sneaky Sound System, and dive into all the action from Flemington on Sydney’s biggest screen.
The Everest Carnival will take over Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens in Sydney from Saturday 21 September until Saturday 2 November. Tickets are on sale via Moshtix.
