Officials are thrilled with the response to the inaugural $10 million Everest, the world’s richest thoroughbred race on turf.

A crowd of more than 33,000 people went to Randwick on Saturday to witness the 1200m sprint won by the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel.

Kerrin McEvoy was aboard the five-year-old, which was raced by a group put together by Triple Crown Syndications.

“The Everest has captured the imagination of the racing world like no other sporting event in Sydney,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

“The Championships is now firmly established in the autumn and has been highly successful but The Everest has gone to another level attracting world attention in a matter of months.

“Board members of both Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club should be congratulated for embracing the concept and driving it with great enthusiasm.”

Australian Turf Club chief executive Darren Pearce said the club looked forward to the subscription-based race attracting more attention.

“The TAB Everest has announced itself as the new major in Australian racing,” he said.

“We are thrilled with the crowd and the atmosphere at the track today alongside such world-class racing.

“We look forward to continuing to build The TAB Everest Day as a signature racing and entertainment event for Sydney, watched around the world.”

Credit: AAP