Godolphin secures slot in Australia’s richest race

Godolphin has secured the 12th and final ‘slot’ in the 2019 The Everest, Australia’s richest race.

Godolphin Managing Director in Australia, Vin Cox said the ownership of a 2019 slot meant the stable could plan with certainty for this year’s race.

“A good opportunity arose to acquire a slot, allowing us to map out a program for whatever horse we choose to run without having to come to any arrangement with another party,” Cox said.

“The Everest is a great concept that adds a tremendous interest and excitement to the Sydney spring carnival and Godolphin is delighted to be a part of it.”

The Godolphin-owned Osborne Bulls finished third in the 2018 renewal under an arrangement with another slot holder, the Australian Turf Club.

Godolphin will finalise its entrant for the race after the stable’s likely contenders begin their spring preparations in the coming weeks with horses such as Osborne Bulls, Trekking and Alizee among the possibilities.

“We have a number of elite sprinters in our racing team who are about to kick-off their spring campaigns – led by Alizee who is likely to trial this Friday at Rosehill. Now we have the surety of our own slot, it is a case of identifying which of our horses will be representing us in The Everest.

Racing New South Wales CEO Peter V’landys said, “There were many parties interested in the 2019 Everest Slot. The tenders lodged were very strong and extremely competitive both in terms of price and the benefit that the tenderers could add to The Everest.”

“Ultimately, the slot available through the tender process has been granted to Godolphin. Godolphin is the world’s largest and most successful owner of thoroughbred horses and its support and promotion of thoroughbred racing in Australia and internationally is unrivalled. The board was very impressed with Godolphin’s proposal and the benefits it will bring to both The Everest and Australian racing.”

The $14 million The Everest, will be run over 1,200m at Randwick on Saturday, Oct.19 October, with the 12 slots either used by their owners directly or traded with the owners of other horses.

While Godolphin’s addition will give the race a global reach, it’s the alliance between the Melbourne Racing Club and slot holder Australian Turf Club that has the potential to shake up the national landscape.

“Australian racing will benefit greatly with a super raceday featuring The Everest at Royal Randwick and the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield racecourse and we look forward to forging a stronger relationship beyond 2019 with the Melbourne Racing Club,’’ ATC chairman Matt McGrath said.

Meanwhile, Masar, expertly handled by Charlie Appleby and thrilling winner of the 2018 Derby, has been retired from racing.

A Godolphin homebred and a son of Derby winner New Approach, Masar made a winning debut at Goodwood in May of his juvenile campaign when defeating future G2-winning sprinter Invincible Army.

After a third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, he easily landed the G3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in a quick time, when beating the future Classic winner Romanised by two lengths. He rounded off his season with a third in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before an unlucky sixth at the Breeders’ Cup.

After wintering in Dubai, Masar easily landed the G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket by nine lengths, with future four-time G1 winner Roaring Lion finishing in third. Back at Newmarket at the start of May, Masar ran a close third in the G1 2,000 Guineas.

His career highlight though came at Epsom when he became the first winner to carry the Godolphin blue in the Blue Riband, when beating Dee Ex Bee, Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior by upwards of one and a half lengths.

Charlie Appleby commented “Masar gave us a wonderful day at Epsom last year when he beat Roaring Lion to become the first Derby winner in the Godolphin blue.

“He has come out of his last race in good order, but we feel he owes us nothing and the time is right to retire him from racing.

“He will be missed by all the team at Moulton Paddocks and I am sure he will be a great addition to the Darley stallion roster.”

A decision about his stud future will be made in due course.