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The wait is almost over for Australia’s premier sprint race with official 2026 The Everest field now complete ahead of the $20 million sprint showdown at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The final line-up features a fascinating mix of proven Group 1 champions, the returning Hong Kong hero, emerging talent and fairytale contenders, setting the stage for one of the strongest editions of $20 million feature for the 10th edition, and below Races.com.au go over the confirmed The Everest field, horses and starting line-up.
With the official The Everest barrier draw still to come, punters are already weighing up the latest The Everest odds, assessing likely race patterns and searching for value in what shapes as a blockbuster renewal of the world’s richest race on turf.
Ka Ying Rising Headlines the 2026 The Everest Final Field
All eyes remain on reigning champion Ka Ying Rising, who returns to Sydney chasing a rare second victory in The Everest. The Hong Kong superstar arrives off a remarkable winning streak and will again partner champion jockey Zac Purton for trainer David Hayes. Already established as the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising remains the horse every runner in the 2026 The Everest field must beat.
Hayes has repeatedly maintained the gelding has improved since last year’s triumph.
“I say conservatively he is 10 per cent better,” he said.
Despite being narrowly defeated in a recent Randwick barrier trial, the champion remains the dominant force in The Everest betting markets and is expected to start a commanding favourite once barriers are released.
Ka Ying Rising is at prohibitive The Everest odds of $1.35 with Ladbrokes, and success for the punters on Saturday would see him join the inaugural Redzel (2017-18) as history’s only dual The Everest winners.
Known as the fastest horse on the planet, the six-year-old Shamexpress gelding has incredibly won his past 21 straight races, most recently the Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on September 6 when lumping 61kg to victory at $1.05.
Tempted Out to Turn the Tables
The mare leading Australia’s charge is undoubtedly Tempted, who earned Godolphin‘s slot after continuing her unbeaten 2026 campaign with another elite spring performance. Last year’s Everest runner-up enters the race in career-best form and looks the most obvious challenger to Ka Ying Rising.
Godolphin’s confidence in the mare is unwavering.
“She is an outstanding mare, unbeaten in 2026 and I’m sure she will represent Godolphin extremely well,” said Andy Makiv.
Jockey Chad Schofield is equally excited about the rematch.
“I can’t wait to aim her at Ka Ying Rising,” he said.
With proven Randwick form and a devastating finishing sprint, Tempted has established herself as the clear second elect in the latest The Everest 2026 odds paying $5 after he good wins in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes and Group 2 Premiere Stakes, which she won by nearly three lengths, already this prep.
Angel Capital Returns Bigger and Better
The final horse confirmed for 2026 The Everest field was Angel Capital, who secured the Yulong Investments slot following his breakthrough Group 1 success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Prepared by champion trainer Chris Waller, who already has two The Everest trophies in the cabinet, the son of Harry Angel returns after gaining valuable experience in the race last season when sixth. His recent Group 1 victory confirmed his status among Australia’s elite sprinters and gave Yulong every reason to back him on the biggest stage.
Armed with proven top-level credentials and race fitness, Angel Capital adds further depth to an already outstanding line-up and at $34 looks a huge inclusion in exotics with speed to burn.
Jimmysstar Earns Another Shot
Few horses forced their way into the race more emphatically than the Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old Jimmysstar.
His stunning Group 1 Manikato Stakes victory left connections with little option but to pursue another Everest start after his excellent third-place performance in last year’s race.
Owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed the popular gelding would line up with Nash Rawiller aboard.
“Jimmysstar will take his place in the 2026 Everest and will have Nash Rawiller aboard,” he confirmed.
The four-time Group 1 winner enters the race in peak condition third-up on Saturday and looms as a major player if he secures a favourable draw which would see his current The Everest quote of $15 firm.
Giga Kick Returns Seeking Another Everest Crown
Former Everest hero Giga Kick adds even more star power to the field after securing the Coolmore slot.
The Clayton Douglas-trained sprinter famously won the race as a three-year-old in 2022 before running second in a subsequent appearance, giving him one of the strongest Everest records in the field.
With Dylan Gibbons booked for the ride, the now seven-year-old son of Scissor Kick represents a proven Randwick specialist and a horse capable of producing his best when the pressure is highest.
It has been a while between drinks for Giga Kick however as he’s winless since the Group 1 Champions Sprint in the wet last Melbourne Cup Carnival, and he’d need to be improving on his lead-up eighth in the Manikato which explains his current The Everest odds of $51.
Blue Door Brings the Three-Year-Old X-Factor
Three-year-olds have played a major role throughout Everest history and exciting filly Blue Door will attempt to continue that trend.
The daughter of Stay Inside is one of two in the mix for trainer Bjorn Baker, and she earned her berth following a brilliant Group 3 Heritage Stakes (1100m) victory at Rosehill on September 26. Blue Door, the sole three-year-old in the race this season, brings an attractive weight advantage into the race.
Baker has been full of confidence in the filly’s development throughout the spring, while jockey Jamie Melham elected to partner Blue Door despite high-profile opportunities elsewhere.
Her speed and lightweight profile make her one of the most intriguing horses in the entire field, and she’s currently at $34 for the win through Ladbrokes.
Ninja Ready for the Biggest Test of His Career
Emerging four-year-old Ninja was among the earliest horses locked into the race and remains one of the most fascinating runners in the final field.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding announced himself as a genuine Everest contender with his Missile Stakes victory before further enhancing his profile by defeating Ka Ying Rising in a recent Randwick trial.
Still lightly raced compared to some of his rivals, Ninja offers significant upside and could be one of the most heavily backed runners after the barrier draw to improve on his ninth in the Group 2 The Shorts when only two lengths beaten.
Headwall Gets His Fairytale Chance
Few stories this spring have been as popular as the comeback of the Matthew Smith-trained Headwall.
After injury ended his Everest aspirations 12 months ago when he was one of the top fancies after a Concorde win in 2025 over Lady Shenandoah, the veteran sprinter has returned in excellent order and secured a berth for long-time slot holders Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, Col Madden and Steve McCann.
A strong campaign highlighted by his Concorde Stakes placing proved he remains competitive at the highest level and gives Smith his long-awaited Everest runner.
Caballus Secures the James Harron Slot
Following his Group 1 Newmarket Handicap triumph earlier this year, Caballus locked away the final James Harron Bloodstock slot and takes his place among the elite sprinters of the season.
The second Baker-trained runner in the mix, he resumed with a solid effort in the Premiere Stakes finishing a mid-field fifth to Tempted and is expected to improve sharply second-up. With Tim Clark booked to ride, he adds further depth and speed to a field already loaded with class.
Spicy Martini and Savvy Hallie Complete Strong Mare Contingent
The mares have a strong presence in the 2026 The Everest final field looking to become the second to beat home the boys after the victory by the Maher-trained Bella Nipotina in 2024.
Spicy Martini earned her opportunity for Inglis after progressing from an $8,000 Inglis Digital purchase to Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner, while Savvy Hallie booked her place for Mulberry Racing through a terrific spring campaign that included victory in the Sheraco Stakes and a brave second in the Premiere Stakes.
Both mares enter the race as outsiders in the current market but have performed at a quality level throughout the season and could prove major inclusions for exotic bets.
Joliestar Rounds Out the Star-Studded Line-Up
The final runner is elite mare Joliestar, who will represent the Chris Waller Racing slot for a third consecutive year.
Already a multiple Group 1 winner and one of Australia’s premier sprinting mares, Joliestar returns to Randwick after another outstanding campaign featuring top-level wins and an impressive international performance at Royal Ascot.
Her consistency against elite company ensures she commands respect regardless of her eventual barrier after she returned down under and ran out of her skin for a narrow second behind upset winner Mazu in The Shorts.
While field is now locked in, attention turns to the highly anticipated The Everest barrier draw on Tuesday.
With natural leaders including Blue Door, Angel Capital, Caballus and Savvy Hallie likely to contest the speed, barrier positions could significantly influence race tactics and trigger further movement in The Everest betting markets.
Punters will be analysing every draw closely as they search for clues ahead of one of the most anticipated runnings of The Everest 2026.
Confirmed 2026 The Everest Field
| Horse | Slot Holder | Sex | Age | Trainer | Rating | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Hong Kong Jockey Club / Australian Turf Club | G | 6 | David Hayes | 130 | Zac Purton |
| Joliestar | Chris Waller Racing | M | 6 | Chris Waller | 120 | James McDonald (expected) |
| Jimmysstar (NZ) | TAB | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 118 | Nash Rawiller |
| Tempted | Godolphin | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 118 | Chad Schofield |
| Giga Kick | Coolmore | G | 7 | Clayton Douglas | 116 | Dylan Gibbons |
| Angel Capital | Yulong Investments | H | 5 | Chris Waller | 115 | Damian Lane (expected) |
| Caballus | James Harron Bloodstock | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 113 | Tim Clark |
| Headwall | Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Col Madden & Neil Werrett | G | 7 | Matthew Smith | 113 | TBA |
| Spicy Martini | Inglis | M | 5 | Toby Edmonds | 113 | Taylor Marshall |
| Ninja | Fairway Thoroughbreds | G | 4 | Michael Freedman | 110 | Tommy Berry (expected) |
| Savvy Hallie | Mulberry Racing | M | 4 | Brad Widdup | 110 | Nash Rawiller (expected) |
| Blue Door | Newgate & GPI Racing | F | 3 | Bjorn Baker | 89 | Jamie Melham |
The Everest 2026 Odds
| 1. Ka Ying Rising (S) | ||
| 2. Tempted (S) | ||
| 3. Jimmysstar (S) | ||
| 4. Joliestar (S) | ||
| 5. Ninja (S) | ||
| 6. Angel Capital (S) | ||
| 7. Blue Door (S) | ||
| 8. Giga Kick (S) | ||
| 9. Headwall (S) | ||
| 10. Savvy Hallie (S) | ||
| 11. Spicy Martini (S) | ||
| 12. Caballus (S) |
