Michael Freedman’s star sprinter Ninja has become the first horse locked away for this year’s Everest after a deal was struck with slot holder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds for a start in the world’s richest turf race.
The four-year-old has had nine career starts for five wins, including the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick.
The gelding has been micro-syndicated through MyRacehorse, with his many owners set to feature on one of the biggest days on the Australian racing calendar.
“These owners paid $180 for Ninja and now racing for a share of 20 million and thanks to this guy (Michael Freedman) they have already won one million dollars in prizemoney,” Managing Director of MyRacehorse, Ben Willis said.
Trainer Michael Freedman is set to train his first Everest runner after Forbidden Love was an emergency in the 2022 running of the race.
“It’s very exciting,” Freedman said. “He has come a long way in a short period of time and it’s good to have a bit of clarity around it now, so onwards and upwards.”
Ninja is set for a trial on Tuesday, September 8, before a clear path is mapped out.
“My plan after the trial on Tuesday is to head to The Shorts here (Randwick) in two weeks’ time and then possibly the Premier,” Freedman said.
“I’d like to see Tuesday first and then see how we go.”
Ninja is the first horse locked away for the $20 million race.
The short-priced favourite and reigning champion Ka Ying Rising has shortened into $1.40 after another dominant return in Hong Kong.
The winner of 21 races in a row obliterated the track record by almost a second in the Chief Executive’s Cup in his first run back from a spell.