Racing NSW today announced that the feature Everest Carnival race previously known as the Winners Stakes will be renamed the Russell Balding Stakes.
The race, run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on Golden Eagle Day for prizemoney of $3 million, has been run since 2019 and had been retitled annually after the previous year’s Everest winner.
Renaming of the race in honour of Racing NSW’s immediate past Chairman recognises Mr Balding AO’s role in the development of the evolutionary Sydney Everest Carnival and this race in particular.
“It is only befitting to honour Russell’s extraordinary contribution to the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry through such recognition via this feature race name,” said Racing NSW Chairman Mrs Saranne Cooke.
“Russell was the initial driving force behind this race, having identified that it would provide a further opportunity for top class sprinters to continue racing in Sydney following the Everest each spring,” Mrs Cooke added.
The Russell Balding Stakes will be run for prizemoney of $3 million at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse over 1300 metres on 2 November 2024. Race conditions will remain the same as in previous years.