Q: TAB got involved with The Everest last year. Would you share with our readers what led to this decision and how you would see this partnership evolving over the next decade?

A: TAB’s involvement with The Everest was natural. We love to support innovation in racing and we are close partners with Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club.

We are thrilled to sponsor The Everest again this year and to engageTABpuntersin The TAB Everest experience. We’ve secured our slot for three years, and are firmly focused on supporting our 2018 runner, the Ben Smith trained, In Her Time

 

Q: What are your expectations from this event in the coming years?

A: We saw great success in the inaugural running of The TAB Everest in 2017 and we expect the event to continue to grow. With $13 million in prize money for 2018 and further increases planned, the race will continue to attract the world’s best sprinters and we’re very excited to be involved.

 

Q: What are the factors you have taken into consideration while selecting In Her Time? Have you had a chance to meet her and if so what kind of a horse did you find her to be? Which race would you consider to be her all-time best?

A: In Her Time didn’t get a run in The Everest last year and we’re delighted to be working with a trainer, Ben Smith for the mare’s 2018 Everest campaign. We have a panel of experts who help select our slot runner. Not only does the horse have exceptional credentials, but we love the story of both the mare and her trainer. In Her Time was unlucky in the TJ Smith Stakes in the Autumn and we hope she can run a similar race with a bit more luck in The Everest. I haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, but we have full faith in Ben Smith.

 

Q: Do your employees get involved in the excitement of The Everest?

A: Absolutely! Tabcorp employs over 5,000 people and they are thrilled we’re involved. We will have unique opportunities for them to experience the thrill of The Everest as 13 October approaches.

As TAB is a close partner of the racing community in Australia, where do you see the industry growth in the next decade?

TAB and Sky Racing are the biggest supporters of racing in Australia. Last year, Tabcorp’s businesses returned over $1 billion to the three codes of racing. We will continue to work closely with racing bodies to help them grow. Innovations like Racing NSW’s The Everest and The Kosciuszko are exciting for racing and, importantly, will continue to attract new people to racing.

 

Q: Australian racegoers easily accepted the new race format of The Everest. What would you say about the ambitious community of racegoers in Australia?

A: Australians love racing, it's embedded in our culture and The Everest has provided a unique new experience for racing in this country.

 

Published In Everest Diaries (Vol 3.2) 2019

Click to view the complete The Everest library - http://bit.ly/2Zloxq1 

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com