Trainer Michael Freedman’s promising young sprinter, Ninja, has officially become the first horse to secure a start in the $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick this October.
A deal has been finalised with slot-holder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, confirming Ninja’s entry into the world’s richest turf race on October 17.
Ninja, who made a barnstorming return to form with a victory in the Missile Stakes last month, is raced by My Racehorse and Camilleri, who bred the gelding and retained an ownership stake.
With only six weeks remaining until The Everest, Ninja leads the pack as the first of the twelve sprinters to lock in a position.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s star galloper Ka Ying Rising is set to debut in the Group 3 Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will enter quarantine post-race and be confirmed for the Hong Kong Jockey Club slot.
Freedman stated that the Everest deal for Ninja provides him with vital “clarity” as he gears up the four-year-old for the major Randwick sprint.
“I mentioned to John before Ninja even ran in the Missile that I was really happy with how he is going,” Freedman said. “Of course, John is a breeder and part-owner of Ninja and he just said let’s wait and see how he goes first-up.
“Then, The Everest became a realistic option so now he’s locked in, we can plot a path to the race.
“It’s nice to have that clarity but to be fair if he didn’t get a slot, I was planning to get him ready for the Sydney Stakes on the same day.”
Camilleri expressed his satisfaction with the arrangement that has secured Ninja a berth in The Everest.
“I have had my heart set on him for a few months now,” Camilleri said.
“I’ve always thought he was more a sprinter rather than a mile.
“So, we have come full circle in a way. I bred the horse, retained a share in him and now he can run in the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot with My Racehorse.”
Ben Willis, the managing director of My Racehorse, highlighted the extensive ownership base, with 1700 individuals sharing in Ninja.
“What The Everest has done is create conversation, innovation and has brought a new fan base into racing,” Willis stated.
“When you look here on Everest Day, it is filled with a young audience and new people to the sport.
“There are great synergies with what we have tried to develop from about five years ago when we first launched and that is to bring a new audience into racing.
“To have a horse running in a $20 million race, the world’s richest race on turf, is pretty special for My Racehorse.
“It validates what we are trying to do from a product perspective and that is to provide an opportunity to run in the best races in the world.”
Early TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Everest sees Ka Ying Rising as the dominant $1.50 favourite. Tempted is next at $9, with Guest House at $11, Joliestar at $13, and Ninja available at $15.
Get the best betting sites and explore the odds for The Everest.
