Explosive mare Skybird has been locked in for a start in this year’s $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, securing the Inglis slot for the October 18 feature.
Trained by Mitch Freedman, the five-year-old daughter of Exosphere has already stamped herself as one of Australia’s leading sprinters with victory in the Black Caviar Lightning earlier this year. She now heads to Moonee Valley on Friday night for the $2 million Manikato Stakes before her Everest tilt.
Freedman was thrilled to confirm her place in the elite sprint.
“To purchase a horse like Skybird, bring her through our system and to now to be a part of the most elite sprinting race in our country, if not the world, truly is an honour,” Freedman said.
“She has been part of the stable since she was a yearling and her success to date is truly a credit to the team around me who help to prepare her.
“She is an exceptional talent and it’s very exciting to take up the Inglis slot, given she was an Inglis purchase, and it really is a dream come true for all of the team at Mitch Freedman Racing.
“We are looking forward to taking her to Randwick to have her compete with some of the best sprinters in the world and I think she is more than capable of making her presence felt.”
Bought for $110,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2022, Skybird has already earned close to $1.3 million in prizemoney. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said her story is another great advertisement for the sale.
“It’s been enjoyable to liaise with Michael (Scalzo) through the slot negotiations and the ownership experience of the Skybird owners is yet another fantastic promotion of our business and the industry as a whole,” Hutch said.
“(She’s) a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling that becomes a G1 winner of almost $1.3m in prizemoney and is now competing in the best sprint race in the world. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Skybird becomes the latest confirmed runner in the 12-horse Everest field, joining Ka Ying Rising, Joliestar, Briasa, Jimmysstar, Private Harry, Overpass, Lady Shenandoah and Angel Capital. Three slots remain with Coolmore, Godolphin and Mulberry Racing yet to declare their representatives.
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