Headwall has secured a place in the 2026 The Everest, providing trainer Matt Smith with his first runner in Australia’s richest race.
The seven-year-old will represent the slot shared by Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Col Madden and Steve McCann in the $20 million Group 1 over 1200m at Randwick on October 17.
Headwall becomes the third confirmed runner in the 12-horse field, joining defending champion Ka Ying Rising, who will represent The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Fairway Thoroughbreds representative Ninja.
The gelding returned to racing this spring following 12 months on the sidelines due to a bone chip in a hind pastern.
He made an encouraging return when runner-up to Tempted in the Concorde Stakes before finishing fifth in the The Shorts on September 19, beaten one length by Mazu.
Smith is considering giving Headwall another start in the Premiere Stakes as he looks to further build the sprinter’s fitness following his lengthy absence.
Whitby and Werrett have held an Everest slot since the race’s inception in 2017, with their best results coming through Vega Magic, runner-up in the inaugural edition, and Masked Crusader, who finished second in 2021.
