The Everest is one of the defining sprint races of the Australian spring and a centerpiece of Sydney racing. The 2026 edition is scheduled for October 17 at Royal Randwick, according to Racing New South Wales.
The Everest 2026 at a glance
The race brings elite sprinters to Royal Randwick for a major October target. Racing New South Wales lists The Everest on October 17, 2026, alongside The Kosciuszko and Sydney Stakes. The Australian Turf Club describes Royal Randwick as the home of the $20 million TAB Everest.
Why The Everest matters
The Everest has become a major international sprint target and a central feature of the Sydney spring. Its position in October creates a clear progression from early spring sprint races into one of the most valuable turf contests on the calendar.
For OTB Bet readers following the global championship season, The Everest sits in a busy stretch that also includes the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and the buildup toward the Breeders’ Cup.
The road to The Everest
Australian sprint form develops across several important races during the spring. Royal Randwick hosts The Shorts on September 19, an important test for leading sprinters as connections shape their October plans. Final participation in The Everest depends on the race conditions and selection process, so OTB Bet will distinguish confirmed runners from prospective contenders as the field develops.
September 18 update: Defending champion Ka Ying Rising completed his final serious gallop at Sha Tin before his planned September 20 trip to Sydney. He is expected to spend two weeks in quarantine at Canterbury before a Randwick trial on October 6. Read the latest Ka Ying Rising update.
Royal Randwick
Royal Randwick is one of Australia’s premier racing venues and the center of Sydney’s major spring racing program. The course hosts The Everest as part of a broader carnival that brings together leading horses from Australia and, when connections choose to travel, international competitors.
What OTB Bet will update
This guide will serve as OTB Bet’s canonical home for The Everest. It will be updated when authoritative sources confirm the field, barrier draw, race conditions, major withdrawals and the official result. Separate news stories may cover major developments when they warrant timely reporting, while this page will preserve the durable race information in one place.
Sources
Race date and conditions: Racing New South Wales. Venue and event context: Australian Turf Club.
Featured image: Royal Randwick Racecourse by Maksym Kozlenko, Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0.