The 3yo Yes Yes Yes has won the richest turf race in the world, The Everest, on a day when protesters registered their opposition to the sport following an expose of the slaughter of thoroughbreds in abattoirs.
The Everest, a 1200m race at Royal Randwick featuring prizemoney of A$14 million, saw horses competing representing a dozen “slot holders” including Godolphin, Coolmore, The Star casino, Aquis, the TAB, Inglis and Chris Waller Racing.
Yes Yes Yes, ridden by Glen Boss and trained by Chris Waller — best known for his training association with superstar mare Winx — came through in the final 200m to take the lead and win from Santa Ana Lane and Trekking.
An emotional Waller, who started the day speaking out about the need for racing to respond to recent revelations of abuse of former racehorses at slaughterhouses, expressed joy at the big win after convincing Coolmore Australia to run the young horse in The Everest.
“You have to go to the owners … ‘This is a horse I think can win The Everest, you can’t go in to run second or third’,” Waller told the Seven Network.
“To tell you the truth [it’s an] amazing feeling, but where we have been with Winx puts it all [in perspective]. Where she took us has probably set us up for days like this to cope so much better.
“Yeah, I took it all in our stride all week. Why I’m getting emotional is the ride she took us on.
An elated jockey Glen Boss (Pic – Racing New South Wales)
“It’s a great sport, proud to be in it.”
Redzel, the seven-year-old gelding attempting to win the race for the third time, was second in the straight but faded to finish back in the field.
Even the horse that came last, Ten Sovereigns, walked away with $A400,000.
Yes Yes Yes is a son of Rubick out of the Fantastic Light mare, Sin Sin Sin.
He was purchased at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when consigned by Kitchwin Hills Scone Nsw (As Agent) by Darren Weir Racing/John Foote Bloodstock for A$ 200 000.
