KIERSTEN DUKE: The Everest is now the summit of Australian horse racing

The Everest is no longer just a horse race. It is a spectacle, a statement and it’s becoming the biggest party on the Australian racing calendar.

Following the tenth running, there is no denying it anymore.

Year after year, the $20 million sprint continues to grow in stature, attracting bigger crowds, internationally known names and an audience that wants more than just a day at the races.

If the latest edition has proved anything, it is that The Everest is becoming a serious challenger to the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s long standing dominance.

A sell out crowd, an electric atmosphere and the arrival of Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising made for a compelling reminder of what modern racing can be when it gets the formula right.

Ka Ying Rising was more than just another headline horse. He was an international attraction and genuine superstar whose presence brought an extra layer of excitement to an already enormous occasion. The prospect of watching the world’s best sprinter take on Australia’s finest gave horse racing fans further reason to turn up and be part of the action.

That is the power of a champion. They transcend the sport and draw new eyes to the track.

Theres no denying The Everest is becoming very good at creating those moments.

With $20 million in prize money on the line, it is hardly surprising that the race has become a magnet for the best sprinters in the world. The financial incentive is enormous but the appeal extends well beyond the cheque. The Everest has built an identity around speed, glamour, big personalities and an atmosphere that feels distinctly modern.

It is racing packaged for a generation that has grown up on viral moments and instant entertainment.

And that’s something the Melbourne Cup Carnival doesn’t own.

The Melbourne Cup remains the race that stops a nation, and its place in Australian sporting folklore should never be dismissed. The first Tuesday in November is woven into national identity. Generations have grown up with the race and the stories that make it so special.

But tradition alone is no longer enough to guarantee the biggest audience or the greatest buzz.

The Everest has shown that a racing event does not need a century of history to capture the public’s imagination. It needs excitement, accessibility and a reason for people to feel they cannot afford to miss it.

Just look at the numbers. The 2026 edition attracted a record 52,110 spectators to a sold out Royal Randwick, while the event continues to draw a younger audience. The Australian Turf Club has reported that people aged 18 to 24 attending this year’s meeting increased by 20 per cent on the previous year.

That is the sort of growth racing should be celebrating.

For younger racegoers, the appeal is obvious. They want the glamour, the buzzing atmosphere, the big name horses, the entertainment after the last race and the social experience. They want to dress up, share the day with friends and be part of something everyone is talking about on Monday morning.

They are not necessarily dismissing history. They simply see what’s currently in front of them and they love it.

Of course, declaring The Everest bigger than the Melbourne Cup would be premature- although it hasn’t stopped some racing fans. The Cup has a cultural significance and a longevity that no decade old race can replicate. But the conversation is changing and that alone should make Victorian racing take notice.

The Melbourne Cup has the heritage. The Everest has the momentum.

One represents the traditions that built Australian racing, the other represents where it’s heading. There is room for both, but there is no guarantee the balance will remain the same forever.

Ten years ago, The Everest was the brash new kid on the block. Today, it is a sold out sporting blockbuster attracting international superstars and a generation of fans that racing desperately needs.

The message is simple: tradition might get people talking, but excitement gets them through the gates.

Right now, The Everest has excitement in spades.