Country-trained horses will compete for their own version of The Everest with a $1.3-million race on the same day in October to be called the Kosciuszko.
The 1200m-event on the support program for the $13-million Everest at Randwick on October 13 is an expansion of the Anniversary Highway held for the first time last year.
The Highway Handicaps for country-trained horses held at Saturday metropolitan meetings have been a success story for NSW.
Racing NSW Media Release
The Kosciuszko – The world’s richest country race
The Honourable Paul Toole MP, Minister for Lands and Forestry, and Minister for Racing
today announced the world’s richest country race will now be held on Everest Day at Royal
Randwick, with a new $1.3 million race – The Kosciuszko. The race will be restricted to
only NSW country trained horses who will get a chance to compete on the biggest day of
racing in Australia with more than $16 million of prizemoney on offer.
Through a joint venture promotion with the Australian Hotels Association (‘AHA’), Tabcorp
(‘TAB’) and Racing NSW, members of the public will be able to buy $5.00 tickets to win a
chance to own a part share in a horse for The Kosciuszko race.
Tickets in the Kosciuszko promotion will be exclusively sold at all NSW AHA hotels that
feature a TAB outlet. Tickets can be purchased at the TAB Electronic Betting Terminals in
the same way as a normal TAB ticket. Also, selected hotels will have dedicated Eftpos
terminals that will exclusively sell the Kosciuszko tickets.
There will be 12 winning tickets drawn. Each winning ticket holder will then have an entry
in The Kosciuszko and can select a NSW country trained horse to race in their entry,
subject to agreeing with the horse’s owners as to how they will share the prizemoney for
the race. Racing NSW can assist the winning ticket holders in identifying horses for
selection.
Tickets in the Kosciuszko promotion go on sale on Thursday 19 July 2018 and the draw
will be held on 14 September 2018.
The Honourable Paul Toole MP, Minister for Lands and Forestry, and Minister for Racing
said “The race is a great way to showcase NSW country-trained horses, giving them the
chance to compete at one of Australia’s biggest days of racing.
I congratulate Racing NSW on this exciting new initiative to support regional NSW racing,
which plays such a vital role in cities and towns across the state.
With the recent success of The Everest and The Championships, the NSW racing industry
continues to go from strength to strength.”
“This is an exciting new concept involving the public which will further stimulate racing in
Country NSW”, said Russell Balding AO, Racing NSW Chairman.
Lion Beer Australia will be sponsoring The Kosciuszko race in association with its
Kosciuszko beer brand which shares the same name. Lion’s Managing Director James
Brindley said “The company had a long association with racing in Australia and its support
for The Kosciuszko will continue this great tradition. It is fitting that the race and the beer
are both named after Australia’s highest peak – perfect to showcase the pinnacle of
Country racing and the very best in brewing.”
Racing NSW will also be contributing $125,000 from the sale of tickets in the Kosciuszko
promotion to the Aussie Helpers charity to support NSW farmers.
The Kosciuszko race will be run over 1200m and will be run at set weights and penalties,
with eligibility restricted to horses trained in Country NSW as at 18 July 2018.
John Whelan AHA NSW Chief Executive Officer said “In country towns across NSW the
local pubs and the racing community have supported each other for over a century. We’re
thrilled to back the world’s richest country race.”
“We really think our patrons, especially our hotel punters clubs, will get behind this exciting
opportunity. For the cost of a $5 ticket it gives everyone the chance to ‘own’ a runner in a
$1.3 million race on Everest Day.”
Adam Rytenskild Tabcorp Managing Director – Wagering and Media said “Its genuinely
exciting for TAB to be part of the inaugural Kosciuszko supporting our partners, Racing
NSW and the AHA. The innovative thinking behind The Kosciuszko will engage punters,
owners, industry and ultimately racegoers as The Everest builds to one of the world’s most
exciting and unique race days. It will be such a thrill for everyone connected to the twelve
runners in The Kosciuszko, including the Hotels where the sweepstake tickets were sold.”
Credit: AAP