Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
The Mitch Freedman-trainee claimed her breakthrough G1 victory when she produced an explosive performance to win the Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington in February.
In winning the Lightning, at just her 12th start and her first attempt in G1 company over a sprinting distance, Skybird earned a 102 WFA Performance Rating to announce her arrival amongst the most dynamic sprinters in the country.
Ruled out of the remainder of the autumn due to injury, Skybird made her return in the G1 Moir Stakes just over a fortnight ago and was beaten by just two lengths despite a luckless run.
Skybird will contest the G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley before progressing to The Everest at Randwick on October 18.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch is delighted Skybird will be representing Inglis in what is the world’s most valuable race on turf.
“Since it’s inception, The Everest has been a captivating spectacle and the race in 2025 is shaping up as the most enthralling yet,” he said.
“We work diligently through the year in consideration of prospective runners for our slot and Skybird catapulted to the forefront of our consideration with her win in the Lightning, which was nothing short of awesome.
“Mitch Freedman is a young trainer that the market has a lot of respect for and he has been very patient in his development of this filly, she is unexposed, progressive and shaping as a candidate to produce a career best at Randwick on Everest day.
“It’s been enjoyable to liaise with (Managing Owner) Michael (Scalzo) through the slot negotiations and the ownership experience of the Skybird owners is yet another fantastic promotion of our business and the industry as a whole, a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling that becomes a G1 winner of almost $1.3m in prizemoney and is now competing in the best sprint race in the world.
“It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
“We are under no illusions as to the challenge that race presents, but we are very much looking forward to the build up to the race, which will include the Inglis Ready2Race Sale at Riverside Stables on October 16, and the race day itself,” added Hutch.
For trainer Mitch Freedman, the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious race is a reflection of the hard work of the team behind Skybird.
“We all go to the yearling sales with a dream of finding a horse like her. To purchase a horse like Skybird, bring her through our system and to now to be a part of the most elite sprinting race in our country, if not the world, truly is an honour,” said Freedman.
“She has been part of the stable since she was a yearling and her success to date is truly a credit to the team around me who help to prepare her.
“She is an exceptional talent and it’s very exciting to take up the Inglis slot, given she was an Inglis purchase, and it really is a dream come true for all of the team at Mitch Freedman Racing.
“We are looking forward to taking her to Randwick to have her compete with some of the best sprinters in the world and I think she is more than capable of making her presence felt,” said Freedman.
Skybird is a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate for Mitch Freedman Racing, offered by her breeder HP Thoroughbreds in 2022.
She is the ninth confirmed runner in the world’s richest turf race and the sixth Inglis graduate to earn a slot alongside Overpass, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah, Private Harry and Angel Capital.
Skybird is one of 109 individual G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and will be looking to become the third consecutive Inglis graduate to win The Everest, as well as giving Inglis it’s seventh graduate win in the ninth running of the world-famous race.
To view our announcement video, CLICK HERE.
