Classique Legend Simply Breathtaking in The Everest

Mark Smith - Saturday October 17

Run at breakneck speed, The Everest (1200m) set up perfectly for a backmarker, and there are few better at that caper than Classique Legend who turned the $15 million feature at Randwick into a walk in the park.

So easy for Classique Legend (Steve Hart)

A third winner in four runnings of the race for Kerrin McEvoy, the four-year-old son of Not A Single Doubt had just four of the 12 runners behind him on straightening as Eduardo set scorching fractions out in front.

Advertisement

By the 200 metres, Classique Legend had them in his sights, and there was no stopping him from there.   

Trained by octogenarian Les Bridge, Classique Legend kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Godolphin's Exceed And Excel four-year-old Bivouac by two and a half lengths.

Lope de Vega's ever-consistent Gytrash nosed out Trekking (Street Cry) for third.

McEvoy said the pace was incredible.

"It was a funny one because I needed to come back behind Trekking to get a slot and then they went quicker," he said.

"I just had to ride my race. I looked up at the 600m, and they were well in front, they were off.

"Full credit to my horse with that cover and that soft time of it early, he was really able to power when I asked him.

"Soon after straightening I was confident I was going to pick them up.

"I'm thrilled to get the horse over the line. Les (Bridge) has pulled a masterstroke off. He has kept him in training from July, and Carmel (Size) has attended to him like a baby. It has been fantastic. It is an unbelievable feeling to win another one.

"Every big win is special. I was lucky enough to team up with Redzel soon after he got racing with the Snowdens.

"This is a horse that Carmel and Les threw me on early in his career and he showed instant brilliance.

Bridge said he hoped the horse had made believers of the doubters.

"I’ve been telling you for three months. How much start do you want?” Bridge enthused.

“One of my greatest friends was (vetinarian) Percy Sykes. He said it's all in the genes. Some horses just get all the good genes.

“This horse has got a girth on him that deep and a V8 motor. It’s unbelievable.”

Classique Legend a $400,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Purchased for a sales-topping $400,000 by Carmel Size, on behalf of Hong Kong-based owner Bon Ho, out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Classique Legend advances his record to six wins, two seconds and two thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $8,635,500.

The grey gelding is still to check off the Group 1 box. However, it is doubtful if he will run in many stronger fields of sprinters.

A year older half-brother to the Hong Kong flyer Aethero (Sebring), Classique Legend is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Pinocchio, a winning full sister to champion miler Racing to Win.

A third win in the race for Kerrin McEvoy

Purchased for $320,000 out of the Milburn Creek draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Pinocchio has a two-year-old colt named Fairy Legend in training with Gary and John Moore.

He was purchased by Legend Racing for $1.1 million out of the Tyreel Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Pinocchio missed in 2018 despite being covered by Capitalist, Pierro and Merchant Navy. On August 20 the star mare foaled a filly by I Am Invincible.  

Arrowfield Studs pensioned Not A Single Doubt rockets to the top of the Champion sire title, and he may take some dislodging.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Tab Everest 1200m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:08.27
1
Classique Legend
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Pinocchio (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L J Bridge Rdr: K Mc Evoy 58.5
2
2.5
Bivouac
- 4h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Dazzler (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: G Boss 58.5
Inglis December Online Sale $22,500
Seller: Godolphin
Buyer: Cody Morgan Racing
3
3.0
Gytrash
- 5g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Miss Barley (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G V Richards Rdr: J R Collett 58.5
4
3.1
Trekking
- 6g Street Cry (IRE) x Outdoor (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Parr 58.5
5
3.4
Haut Brion Her
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x One In A Million (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
6
3.6
Santa Ana Lane
- 8g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Fast Fleet (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: S Clipperton 58.5
7
3.8
Nature Strip
- 6g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
8
4.1
Libertini
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Aloha (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Regan Bayliss 56.5
9
6.1
Tofane
- 5m Ocean Park (NZ) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
10
6.5
Behemoth
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Penny Banger (AUS) (Zedrich (AUS))
Tnr: D R Jolly Rdr: N Rawiller 58.5
11
6.8
Eduardo
- 7g Host (CHI) x Blushing (AUS) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Rachel King 58.5
12
8.8
Dollar For Dollar
- 8g High Chaparral (IRE) x Pretty Penny (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Tim Clark 58.5
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
He's the Best - Classique Legend on Track for The Everest
A luckless sixth in The Everest 12 months ago, the Les Bridge-trained Classique Legend showed he is right on track for this year’s $15 million feature with a barnstorming win in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II The Shorts (1200m) at Randwick, prompting his veteran trainer to declare the son of Not A Single Doubt the best he has trained.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.