The 2024 edition of The Everest has been run and won and it was another massive day on and off the track at Sydney’s Royal Randwick.
On the track, seven-year-old mare Bella Nipotina won the $20million The Everest, the worlds richest race on turf on Saturday.
Bella Nipotina is the first mare to win The Everest in its eight years.
Off the track, King Charles and Queen Camilla might have been late scratchings, following rumours they were going to attend, but that didn’t stop tens of thousands of punters letting their hair down.
There had been fevered speculation that King Charles may put the royal in Royal Randwick by making an appearance at the sold-out event.
However, Saturday is officially listed as a rest day on their first Australian tour as monarchs, and the pair were spotted taking a leisurely stroll in the garden of Admiralty House on Sydneys north shore.
Along with the $20 million The Everest, Saturday also saw the second running of the $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing.
There was a fall at one of the turns at Royal Randwick for the running of The Everest on Saturday
This racegoer found it easier to walk barefoot as she left Royal Randwick on Saturday
The punter on the right needed some support from a mate after leaving Royal Randwick on Saturday
For the first time since its 2017 debut, Sydney’s premier raceday was officially sold out—which set the stage for an unforgettable spectacle.
Attendees of all ages, who were suited and booted for the occasion, started flooding in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm.
Barefoot seemed to be the fashion choice for punters leaving Royal Randwick on Saturday
A gaggle of women wearing fascinators and winter jackets over their dresses were pictured waiting patiently at the turnstiles.
But younger racegoers were seemingly less concerned about dressing appropriately for the overcast Spring weather.
This racegoer looked like she was carried over the threshold at Royal Randwick on Saturday
This lady was in fine racing form for the running of The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday
As punters left Royal Randwick on Saturday, many needed assistance, with some being piggy-backed.
A young woman hitches a ride as she leaves Royal Randwick after the running of The Everest
The King Charles III stakes trophy was on display at the Sydney Everest at Royal Randwick racecourse. Despite rumours of an appearance, King Charles III himself was a late scratching
This young racegoer was footloose and fancy free after celebrating a big day at the races
Punters left the remains of a big day out at Royal Randwick on Saturday
These ladies needed some urgent shoe work at Royal Randwick on Saturday
These two punters celebrated a big day at Royal Randwick for the 2024 running of The Everest
Jockey Craig Williams (pictured right) rider of Bella Nipotina and trainer Cairon Maher (pictured left) lift The Everest 2024 trophy at Royal Randwick