Read what the Jockeys and & Trainers said in The Everest 2025.
Winning Trainer: David Hayes
On the run: “It was a long way down that straight but when he got over the rise and he hadn’t used him I thought they were going to have to be pretty good to beat him.”
“I can’t wait to really watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight (at) Randwick isn’t it when you hit the front with 300m to go but I think he held on pretty well. Great ride by Zac (Purton) and I actually would’ve been shattered if he lost today. I think there’s more to come with this horse.”
On what it means: “It’s certainly the biggest thrill in my life. It’s been the longest ten days in my life I think. He (Better Loosen Up) was the last world champion rated horse I’ve trained and this is the next one. A lot of good horses in between but these are the two stars.”
On what the trial did for him: “He blew out all the mothballs and a lot of people were very critical of the trial but he still beat 20 Group 1 winners and ran third not really tested.”
“So relieved, but when he saddled up calm he had to really run below form not to win today, but I couldn’t say that, I couldn’t be cocky. I would’ve been so disappointed if he didn’t win when he saddled up calm.”
On what it means for Hong Kong racing: “I think it will be wonderful, he’s the pin-up boy there.”
Winning Jockey: Zac Purton (Ka Ying Rising)
“He had a beautiful run in the race. Ethan (Brown on Jimmysstar) was trying to sneak up on my outside but we just had to make sure we had the room which was pretty easy because we had the room which was pretty easy because of the pace of the race.”
“Overpass skipped for him early and I had to chase him. To my horse’s credit, he wasn’t letting him go. He got the better of me in the trial and we said that he’s not going to get the better of me in the race.”
“We chased him down and coasted to the line.”
After the trial said he had to improve – did he have concerns: “There were a few days when I was not that happy with his trial but the more I analyzed it, the ground was soft and he didn’t like it, he was overweight and heavy.
“Overpass is a pretty good horse and I underestimated him until I went back into his replays over the last few days and he’d just been beaten in an Everest before so I thought, well, he just got beaten in an Everest and I couldn’t beat him in a trial so he’s still there.”
“I don’t think we saw him at his best today but even though he wasn’t at his best he’s still good enough.”
“To have one champion I rode in my career, I thought, that was unbelievable for me and now to have one come along that could be even better, right at this moment it really does hit home.”
“You become a bit emotional. You appreciate it more now because it is nearly over (Zac’s career) but I’m so lucky. I’ve had such a good career and so lucky to have this horse come along now.”
“It is a great way to close it when I do close it.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Tyler Schiller (Briasa): “I thought he has done a great job from back in the field. He didn’t anticipate the start as he has been the last two. Just ended up a long way back. I thought he got the right cart into the race. Joliestar took us everywhere. He just couldn’t finish off from back there.”
Josh Parr (Overpass): “He showed what he is capable of. He is a high speed horse, gave a turn of foot today that I think was the best of his career. Fought it out to the shadows of the post. Obviously winner too good but very proud of my horse.”
Ethan Brown (Jimmysstar): “Unreal. He ran out of his skin. A kinder gate would have done us a lot of favours. Good to see him closer. He gave his all. So proud of him.”
Tim Clark (War Machine): “I was hoping to settle a pair closer than I did. He travelled well but just when the pressure went on, they left him a bit flat footed.”
Jason Collett (Mazu): “He was brave. Took up the running there until late. Pretty good.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Jedibeel): “He has run fantastic. Had to switch back to the inside. Was closest on the line. Ran a great race.”
Ben Melham (Angel Capital): “Was a terrific performance. Just the 1400m back to 1200m when they sprinted, they just left him a little bit. He kept coming all the way to the line. It took him until the line to really hit his straps. Gallant performance. Horse is going really well.”
James McDonald (Joliestar): “She was pretty good. I was happy with the run we had midfield and travelled up beautifully. I thought she was the winner at the 500m. She was just smoking. Just lost her action into the dip and for 50m out of the dip and then she got going. Never lost ground and never gained ground.”
Damian Lane (Lady Shenandoah): “She ran super. At the 600m she didn’t take the corner that well. Clipped Jimmysstar’s heel on the outside. Just blundered at a vital stage of the race. Did well to pick up and finish the way she did.”
Michael Dee (Magic Time): “She has quickened up really well. Just had to run impossible sectionals to be closer in the finish. She ran great.”
Craig Williams (Tempted): “The winner is a superstar. My horse is a future mega-superstar. She was great. Credit to Ciaron Maher, the ownership group to come to a race like this. Definitely didn’t disappoint and will benefit from this run again.”
