2025 The Everest: Ciaron Maher-trained, Ozzie Kheir-owned Jimmysstar confirmed for TAB slot
Jimmysstar, a two-time Group 1 winner last seen storming to victory in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April, becomes the fourth horse to score a slot for The Everest in October.
The horse they all have to beat, Hong Kong superstar Ka Ring Rising, is confirmed for a slot and is the hot $1.80 favourite, while Private Harry ($6) and Briasa ($8) also have slots.
Champion trainer Maher won the 2024 The Everest with Bella Nipotina and will get the chance to go back to back after Jimmysstar scored the TAB slot.
Earlier in his career, Jimmysstar could be an enigmatic galloper and several times went down as raging favourite, including as a $1.26 chance at Flemington and also when starting at $1.75 at Eagle Farm.
But the penny has well and truly dropped and he is now widely considered one of the most explosive sprinters in the country.
He came from near last to blow away his opposition in this year's Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield and also powered over the top of his rivals in the All Aged.
JIMMYSSTAR FROM THE CLOUDS! 🚀
He wins his first Group 1 for @cmaherracing 🥰 @Brown_ethan8 pic.twitter.com/algd0AOjsw
â€' Racing.com (@Racing) February 22, 2025
•
Jimmysstar races in the colours of prominent owner Ozzie Kheir who, along with his close friend Brae Sokolski, tasted Everest success when Yes Yes Yes won for Chris Waller in 2019.
Kheir wasn't on track that day but said nothing would keep him away from Randwick when Jimmysstar contested The Everest later this year.
'We were in discussions with TAB for several weeks on Jimmysstar and they were fantastic to deal with and have come to the party with the ownership group's expectations,' Kheir said.
@cmaherracing and @Brown_ethan8! 🙌 @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/Obg9FvV2KC
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025
'We are very excited to have one of our favourite horses heading towards The Everest which would not have been in our thought processes only nine months ago.
'Jimmy has been a quirky horse from the outset, which has cost him winning in the past, but now he has turned into a racehorse mentally and from his recent videos of him he looks unreal
'He has so much ability.
'He is not a big horse but he is all muscle.'
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