And they’re off! Glamorous racegoers flood into Royal Randwick as Everest gates open and punters gear up for Sydney’s richest race

Tens of thousands of glamorous racegoers have poured into the gates of Royal Randwick ahead of the start of Sydney’s richest race.

Billed as the ‘world’s richest race on turf’, the 2024 Everest at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is expected to attract almost 50,000 punters.

The race itself sees 12 of the fastest horses compete over a distance of 1,200 metres for the chance to win the $20,000,000 prize pot. 

Racegoers are expected to devour more than 10,000 cocktail pies and 14,000 plates of food in hospitality – all washed down by an estimated 500,000 drinks. 

Attendees of all ages, who were suited and booted for the occasion, started flooding in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm.

Some members were even spotted sprinting for the gates, while others were happy to pose for the cameras.

A gaggle of women wearing fascinators and winter jackets over their dresses were pictured waiting patiently at the turnstiles.

But younger racegoers were seemingly less concerned about dressing appropriately for the overcast Spring weather.

Some members were even spotted sprinting for the gates…

… while others were happy to pose for the cameras

For general admission there are no formal dress codes to follow but punters are asked to avoid fancy dress, tattered clothing and thongs

Attendees of all ages, who were suited and booted for the occasion, started flooding in from 10am to place their bets ahead of the main event at 4.15pm

Members are expected to adhere to a strict dress code.

For female members, jeans, leggings, parkas, playsuits duffle coats and ‘garments which show midriff’ are all banned.

Male members are ‘required to wear tailored pants, dress shoes, a collared shirt with a tie and either a jacket, sports coat or blazer’.

Peaked caps, beanies and open neck shirts or shirts without a collar are banned.

For general admission there are no formal dress codes to follow but punters are asked to avoid fancy dress, tattered clothing and thongs. 

There has been fevered speculation that King Charles may put the ‘royal’ in Royal Randwick by making an appearance at the sold-out event. 

However, Saturday is officially listed as a rest day on his Australian tour as the pair were spotted taking a leisurely stroll in the garden of Admiralty House on Sydney’s north shore.

Along with the $20 million TAB Everest, Saturday also sees the second running of the $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing. 

A gaggle of women wearing fascinators and winter jackets over their dresses were pictured waiting patiently at the turnstiles

But younger racegoers were seemingly less concerned about dressing appropriately for the overcast Spring weather

Racegoers are expected to devour more than 10,000 cocktail pies and 14,000 plates of food in hospitality – all washed down by over 500,000 drinks.

There has been fevered speculation that King Charles may put the ‘royal’ in Royal Randwick by making an appearance at the sold-out event