The ninth running of Sydney’s Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest set a new record for World Pool wagering today as a 50,000 plus crowd at Royal Randwick watched Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising win the world’s richest race on turf.
Watched by hundreds of millions of other viewers around the world, Ka Ying Rising trained by Australia’s David Hayes and ridden by ex-pat Aussie Zac Purton scored a dominant win.
Ka Ying Rising wins the TAB Everest before a record 50,167 at Royal Randwick. (Pic: Bradley Photos).
A total of $A16.44m million was bet via the World Pool, which allows co-mingling of international wagering operators into the one pool – easily eclipsing the previous record of $A13.10m in 2023.
TAB Everest Day also broke its own spectator record with a total of 50,167 people on course for a second consecutive year of a sold-out event.
It was also a modern-day Royal Randwick crowd record.
Almost 60 per cent of attendees at Royal Randwick were aged under 26.
A broadcast viewing audience across the United States and more than 200 countries and territories reached more than 560 million viewers.
Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Royal Randwick had hosted one of world racing’s most memorable events.
“To see the world’s highest rated sprinter from Hong Kong win in front of a modern-day record crowd has further cemented the TAB Everest as an event like no other,’’ Mr McMahon said.
“The youngest crowd in the history of Sydney racing has confirmed the vision of Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club of bringing new fans to a racing and entertainment event that leads the world.’’