Veteran mare Bella Nipotina storms home to win The Everest: ‘I don’t know what to say, she is just a freak!’

Seven-year-old mare Bella Nipotina has won the $20million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, the world’s richest race on turf.

Ridden by Craig Williams and trained by Ciaron Maher, Bella Nipotina raced wide on the pace and finished strongly in the straight to win narrowly from 2022 winner Giga Kick.

‘We drew gate 12, the fear all week was she would be caught three deep no cover,’ owner Michael Christian said.

‘She was. But she was still good enough.

‘I don’t know what to say, she is just a freak.’

The mare held off runner-up Giga Kick, who Williams rode to victory in the 2022 running of The Everest.

It was sweet revenge for the jockey, who was dumped as Giga Kick’s rider following a controversial ride in the McEwen Stakes last spring only to beat his former horse when it mattered.

‘It’s very, very special,’ Williams said.

‘Again, I can’t do it without the performance of Bella. We drew 12. We were hoping for more rain but the track was to her liking and the plan was – Ciaron Maher said let’s trust her. We might be wide, let’s not be negative, let’s be positive. Let’s go.

‘I am lucky I know her. Going to the gate today I said to Ciaron I said she was moving well. ‘And before I gave her a pat and a cuddle, she was ready to go.’

Third home was Growing Empire, with Lady Of Camelot fourth. 

Jockey Craig Williams holds the trophy aloft after a brilliant ride to secure victory

Bella Nipotina started at $7.35 on the NSW tote, and earned connections $7 million with the victory.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said she was in career-best form and got conditions to suit.

‘We said at the barrier draw she’s got an uncanny knack of running very well from any gate, wide, inside, it doesn’t matter,’ he said,

‘Craig, beautiful ride, to have the balls to do that.

‘And to do it this late in her career, a 54th start is unbelievable.’

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace look on as jockey Craig Williams rides the mare to glory

Veteran Channel 7 racing broadcaster Bruce McAvaney declared it may have been ‘the best Everest yet’.

‘Magnificent race! Incredible, classic run up the straight between two wonderful horses,’ McAvaney said.

Channel 7 horse racing expert Katelyn Mallyon said: ‘She is simply breathtaking this mare. She is the most genuine mare I’ve ever seen.

‘From drawing a barrier like that to be able to three-wide the trip and still fight on, a horse that had all that up the inside with Giga Kick, she deserves all of these accolades.’

Godolphin colt Traffic Warden was a late scratching after becoming fractious in the starting gates.

Meanwhile the 2023 winner of The Everest Think About It had a shock fall in the middle of a race during the Group 3 Sydney Stakes.

After not being able to secure a start in the 2024 edition of The Everest, Think About It raced in the curtain raiser and broke down, falling shortly after the first turn.

Both horse and jockey were able to get to their feet and walk to the stalls.

‘Thoughts with the connections of Think About It. That’s devastating,’ Mallyon said.

‘It’s a heavy heart at the moment with Think About It,’ McAvaney added.