Think About It Won The Everest, the Richest Turf Race in the World, Followed by I Wish I Win and Private Eye

The Australian sprinter Think About It, ridden by Sam Clipperton, lived up to its reputation as the favorite by outperforming I Wish I Win and winning The Everest, the richest turf race in the world, on Saturday.

Think About It’s incredible winning streak at Randwick has continued as the talented sprinter defeated a stellar field in the $20 million The Everest.

The five-year-old Joe Pride-trained horse tore past the pack in the final 100 meters at Sydney’s packed Royal Randwick to win a stunning Aus$7.0 million (US$4.4 million) for just over a minute of running.

I Wish I Win, ridden by Luke Nolen and coached by Peter Moody, who guided the legendary Black Caviar to 25 consecutive wins, almost missed taking first place.

Third place went to Think About It’s stablemate Private Eye, who was ridden by Nash Rawiller. Due to an injury, Giga Kick, the defending champion, did not compete this year.

An emotional Clipperton stated, “I wish I could describe what I’m feeling right now. I had such a nice run in the race and travelled so well.

“It just went too perfect. I guess that’s what very good horses do, they eliminate the opposition.

“I’m just so privileged to be in the position of riding this horse,” he said.

Think About It finished third in Saturday’s 1,200-meter spectacular under the guidance of trainer Joe Pride, who also trained the first- and third-place placegetters in the world’s richest turf race. Think About It lagged behind the leaders before making his winning run in the straight.

Think About It, the $4.40 favorite, surged up to take the lead inside the last 200 meters while being ridden by Sam Clipperton. He was able to hold off a late charge by second favorite I Wish I Win ($5) to win by a length.

Think About Its stablemate Private Eye ran three wide and came in third, another neck behind.

Think About It increased his winning streak to nine races and improved his overall record to 11 wins from 12 career starts by taking home Australia’s richest thoroughbred race.

After having Eduardo place third in The Everest two years ago and Private Eye place second the year before, Pride was convinced he had his pair of sprinters in perfect position going into Saturday’s race. Pride was ecstatic to achieve the biggest success of his career as a trainer.

Twelve of the top sprinters in the world competed in The Everest, a 1,200-meter (3/4 mile or six-furlong) weight-for-age race.

Alcohol Free’s Overpass sped out of the gate and took the lead at the halfway point, but Think About It and I Wish I Win were always in the background and surged ahead as they neared the final straight.

The win was the culmination of a spectacular climb for Clipperton’s gelding, who now holds 11 victories overall, including two Group 1 triumphs.

Terrific

“That is unbelievable.” In addition to Private Eye, Pride’s other horse, he also added, “They both ran terrific.”

“I was pretty confident coming into the race that not only would my two-run well, but Peter’s (Moody) was the only danger. I thought they were the three and sure enough, they fought it out.

“It’s going to be an interesting journey where we go from here,” he added.

The long-time favorite had been Moody’s I Wish I Win, who burst into the limelight last year by defeating Giga Kick to win the TJ Smith Stakes over the same Randwick 1200m.

But when she was drawn in barrier one last week, she was demoted by bookmakers, and Think About It took over.

The Everest, the showcase event of the 10-race Sydney Spring Carnival program, increased its prize money this year to Aus$20 million (US$12.8 million).

The Saudi Cup, which is run on dirt, is the wealthiest thoroughbred event, and it maintained its position as the richest turf race in the world, with prizes from the established Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe pale in comparison.

Even the horse that finished last on Saturday, Alcohol Free, took home $70,000 because of the steady increase in prize money since the race’s start in 2017.

According to a novel idea, participants buy a $700,000 slot in the race and then negotiate with jockeys and owners to get the best horses, splitting the prize money with a maximum of 12 competitors.

The 1,800-meter Pegasus World Cup in the United States served as inspiration for the concept.