The Everest and All-Star Mile officially handed Group 1 status

The Everest and All-Star Mile have finally been elevated to Group 1 status and the change will immediately come into effect.

The confirmation — made by Racing Australia and also ratified by the Asian Racing Federation — means that next week’s $20 million Everest at Randwick will now be run as a Group 1 race.

You can watch The Everest live and free on Seven on October 19.

The Everest had previously been shut out from Group 1 status due to the cold war between Racing Victoria and Racing NSW.

But Racing Victoria’s new CEO Aaron Morrison made it clear in August that he was on mission to repair the damaged relationship between the ruling bodies and give The Everest the recognition it deserved.

“We need to recognise that there are races that need to be given their proper status and we want to be able get on with restoring a proper pattern of racing again,” Morrison said after he was officially unveiled as RV’s CEO on August 20.

“It would be fair to say (The Everest) certainly meets the criteria for a Group 1 race, just as something like the All Star Mile would.

“There’s got to be some give and take and some common sense ... that race probably does deserve Group 1 status as does the All-Star Mile and there will be some other changes.”

The All-Star Mile is a weight-for-age race and will be held at Flemington next year on a Super Saturday (alongside the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap) on March 8.

In a statement on Wednesday, Racing Australia said it was “pleased to announce the elevation of two major races to Group 1 Status”.

“Following the recent agreement and adoption of the Australian Black Type Guidelines by the Racing Australia Board, a review of races under those guidelines is being conducted,” the statement said.

“As a priority, The Everest and the All Star Mile, have been determined to have achieved the criteria and will be recognised as a Group 1.

“The All Star Mile and The Everest race upgrades have been ratified internationally. Whilst these upgrades will take immediate effect, further analysis and review of all black type races is being undertaken with the expectation that further announcements will be made in the near future.”

Racing Victoria thanked Racing Australia, saying the All-Star Mile had surpassed the Group 1 rating benchmark of 115 in each of its six editions.

For that reason RV has always believed the race was worthy of carrying the elite status.

“This year’s All-Star Mile winner Pride of Jenni was crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year last night and superstars in Mr Brightside and Zaaki precede her on the honour roll,” RV said.

“With the All-Star Mile finding a new home at Flemington on Super Saturday 2025 (March 8), the race is now firmly entrenched as Victoria’s premier mile race of the autumn and a key feature on the Australian racing calendar.”