Secretariat’s World interviews The Australian Turf Club’s Executive General Manager of Racing, James Heddo. The Everest is a Racing NSW initiative, in which the ATC has become a joint venture partner. They have confirmed erstwhile international racehorse Brave Smash who will be ridden by champion jockey Jamie Spencer.
Q- Tell us about how Racing NSW and ATC created The Everest in the Pegasus race format? How did you envision The Everest growing in the next few decades?
A- The concept is new and exciting and will attract and promote racing to a much broader audience. We will work with Racing NSW to make this the biggest Spring Racing and entertainment annual event in NSW and to attract visitors from all over the world.
Q- What are your growth plans in the next ten years? Do you envision another race, in The Everest format but for dirt to directly compete with The Pegasus itself?
A- Racing in Australia is predominantly focused on Turf Racing, our climate lends itself to this focus. ATC is investing heavily in racing and horse training infrastructure and is planning to have lights installed for night racing at Royal Randwick within the next two years.
Q- Australia is already attracting top stud farm and racehorse owners from around the world. How do you see the racing and breeding industry flourishing in Australia? What are you plans to sustain this trend?
A- Australian Racing is recognized for producing some of the world’s best horses, including most recently Winx and the undefeated Black Caviar. We also currently have the world’s highest rated sprinter, Chautauqua lining up as one of the favourites in the inaugural running of The Everest. I believe that our ability to look at new and exciting opportunities such as The Everest and The Championships at Royal Randwick in the Autumn allows Sydney racing to continue to be a world leader
Q- And lastly, please tell us about Brave Smash as a horse. I understand that Brave Smash was chosen not only because of his pedigree but also his origins. Do you anticipate a lot of Asians (particularly from Japan) coming down for The Everest, similar to the Melbourne Cup?
A- Brave Smash adds an international profile to the race with his early racing career in Japan. We expect more fans and participants will come from Asia in coming years but this is a long process of awareness and building the event. The Melbourne Cup has taken the best part of 20 years to fully establish itself as an international race.