The wins just keep on coming for champion galloper Think About It who once again proved his class and versatility with a peach of a win in The Everest 2023 for trainer Joe Pride.

2023 The Everest winner Think About It was huge saluting for the punters in the seventh edition of the world’s richest turf race. Photo: Steve Hart.

Pride ran second in last year’s edition of the world’s richest turf race with Private Eye, and that horse was back in another terrific performance finishing third in the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Splitting the two Pride-trained stablemates in The Everest trifecta was the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Golden Eagle winner from last season, I Wish I Win, who tried his best in a weaving run from barrier one.

“That is unbelievable,” Pride told Sky Thoroughbred Central. 

“They both (Private Eye – 3rd) ran terrific.

“I was pretty confident coming into the race that not only my two would run well but Peter Moody’s (trainer of I Wish I Win – 2nd) was the only danger.

“It doesn’t really matter at the end, but I thought they were the three and sure enough they fought it out.”

Despite jockey Luke Nolen‘s best efforts aboard I Wish I Win, he just couldn’t get there in time going down a long neck to the 2023 The Everest winner.

“He was terrific. The draw probably did us no favours,” Nolen said.

“I thought he was every hope but brave under the circumstances. Just didn’t get the chance to find free air and build.

“He has run super. The run of the race.

“They run this every year so we got a little bit this year so I hope we get a lot more next year.”

Think About It extended his winning streak to nine straight with his incredible performance thanks to a 10/10 ride by Sam Clipperton who got into the ideal one-one position before coming home strongly down the straight to fight them off.

“I had such a nice run in the race and travelled so well,” Clipperton said.

“This stuff doesn’t happen, it just went too perfect.

“I guess that’s what very good horses do, maybe even champions, they eliminate the opposition.

“I’m just so privileged to be in a position of riding this horse.

“I had my apprenticeship here at Randwick with Ron Quinton and I know every blade of grass at this joint.

“If you had have told me when I started that I was going to win an Everest well A, The Everest didn’t exist and now it’s exploded into one of the most incredible races in the world and I’m just incredibly proud.”

The winter’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup – Stradbroke Handicap double winner in Brisbane had his The Everest slot confirmed by Newgate Farm and GPI Racing soon after, and rewarded slot-holders and connections on the day.

Think About It ran in  The Everest second-up off a Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) success, and Pride is now looking forward to a wide-open future with plenty of potential targets for the champ.

“It’s going to be a really interesting journey with him, where we go from here,” he said.

“It was an incredible performance to stay at 1200m because after he won the Stradbroke (over 1400m), if it wasn’t for The Everest being what it is, I never would have aimed him at this race. A 1200m race that is, but I’m glad I did.”

Pride’s other runner Private Eye also went into the race a last start winner of the Group 2 The Shorts and lost few admirers finishing third after getting caught deep.

“He was very gallant. Got into a position where you don’t want to be,” third-placed hoop Nash Rawiller said.

“Same time he got very comfortable. Was just watching Think About It the whole race and wishing I was where you are.

“My bloke travelled up beautifully. Gave his heart and soul and will be there in a couple of weeks time.”

2023 The Everest Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.