{"id":1169907,"date":"2026-08-26T06:59:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T06:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1169907\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T06:59:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T06:59:37","slug":"2026-the-everest-power-rankings-from-the-idol-horse-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1169907\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 The Everest: Power Rankings from the Idol Horse experts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ka Ying Rising is a clear favourite to win a second consecutive Everest, that much is clear. Who challenges him is now generating a fascinating discussion ahead of the world\u2019s richest turf race at Royal Randwick on October 17.<\/p>\n

With just over seven weeks before the big day, our team of experts have come up with the first list as key formlines start to firm up. This weekend\u2019s San Domenico Stakes looms as a defining test for Guest House and Coolmore\u2019s slot, while Saturday\u2019s Memsie Stakes could shuffle the order among Jimmysstar, Angel Capital and Beiwacht.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how our panel rates the 12 horses lining up to chase down the champ.<\/p>\n

1. Ka Ying Rising<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 6YO Gelding
Trainer: <\/strong>David Hayes
Race Record:<\/strong> 23:21-2-0
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 The Everest (2025)<\/p>\n

This one doesn\u2019t need a case. In fact we nearly made this list the \u201chorses who could finish second to Ka Ying Rising Power Rankings.\u201d There is the uncertainty of travel and as Australian racing produces some new rivals, the scrutiny will remain. Ka Ying Rising\u2019s Everest win is considered his least impressive performance of the last two years by many judges. If that is the case, was it an off day or does the horse not like Randwick\u2019s more lush surface? If it was an off day, it leaves little hope for the 11 rivals lining up against him on October 17.<\/p>\n

2. Tempted<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 4YO Mare
Trainer:<\/strong> Ciaron Maher
Race Record:<\/strong> 12:7-2-2
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 Surround Stakes (2026)<\/p>\n

Godolphin\u2019s top priority off a runner-up finish last year as a three-year-old. Returned in the autumn and went three-for-three \u2013\u00a0albeit against her own age group, the last time against the boys in the Arrowfield Sprint. Only gets a 2kg weight pull this time and there will be a big focus on her when she returns in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

3. Joliestar\u00a0<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 6YO Mare
Trainer:<\/strong> Chris Waller
Race Record:<\/strong> 22:10-4-4
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 TJ Smith Stakes (2026)<\/p>\n

Joliestar has been unplaced just four times in a stellar career, but two of those runs have been in The Everest. The Idol Horse experts haven\u2019t lost faith in Chris Waller\u2019s mare, who will be returning from a close third at Royal Ascot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"JoliestarJOLIESTAR, JAMES MCDONALD \/ G1 TJ Smith Stakes \/\/ Randwick \/\/\/ 2026 \/\/\/\/ Photo by Jeremy Ng (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

4. Guest House<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 3YO Colt
Trainer:<\/strong> Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Race Record:<\/strong> 4:2-1-1
Biggest Win: <\/strong>G1 Golden Slipper (2026)<\/p>\n

Coolmore\u2019s number one option for their slot but a big day looms this weekend in the San Domenico Stakes. Needs a dominant performance there to give connections the confidence to put a valuable stallion prospect on a collision course with one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Three-year-olds get a healthy weight pull against the older horses in The Everest. Yes Yes Yes (2019) and Giga Kick (2022) both won the race as three-year-olds.<\/p>\n

5. Ninja<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 4YO Gelding
Trainer:<\/strong> Michael Freedman
Race Record:<\/strong> 9:5-1-2
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G2 Hobartville Stakes (2026)<\/p>\n

Ninja burst up the rankings with a Missile Stakes win that gives him something many on this list cannot claim: strong recent form. On a Guineas campaign last time in, but that explosive performance showed he has found a valuable new niche.<\/p>\n

6. Jimmysstar<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 7YO Gelding
Trainer:<\/strong> Ciaron Maher
Race Record:<\/strong> 28:11-5-4
Biggest Win:<\/strong> Russell Balding Stakes (2025)<\/p>\n

The Idol Horse experts were split on Jimmysstar: a seven-year-old that hasn\u2019t won since the CF Orr Stakes in November last year. That was part of a purple patch of form though \u2013 a closing third in The Everest that was followed by a win in the Russell Balding Stakes and the Orr victory. Entered for Saturday\u2019s Memsie Stakes over 1400m \u2013 does that indicate Maher feels the 1200m contests are too sharp for the backmarker?<\/p>\n

7. Autumn Glow<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 5YO Mare
Trainer:<\/strong> Chris Waller
Race Record:<\/strong> 13:12-0-1
Biggest Win:<\/strong> Golden Eagle (2025)<\/p>\n

The most contested horse on the board. Supporters love that she has never been beaten by Ka Ying Rising, boasts obvious X-factor \u2013 but are we all just hoping rather than actually thinking she will attempt to slay the Ka Ying Rising dragon? The realists on the panel point out trainer Chris Waller\u2019s flat \u201cno\u201d when pressed on whether or not Autumn Glow could contest the race. The biggest factor steering Autumn Glow away from a potential clash is the amount of money on offer for the King Charles III Stakes on the same day as The Everest, a race the mare is already deep odds-on for in pre-post markets.<\/p>\n

\"AutumnAUTUMN GLOW, TYLER SCHILLER \/ Rosehill \/\/ 2024 \/\/\/ Photo by Jeremy Ng<\/p>\n

8. Angel Capital<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 5YO Horse
Trainer:<\/strong> Chris Waller
Race Record: <\/strong>16:5-2-2
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G2 Autumn Stakes (2025)<\/p>\n

Yulong\u2019s likely slot-holder. Experts feel that the ceiling might not be high enough to compete with Ka Ying Rising but the floor is high \u2013\u00a0unlikely to run a bad race. Entered in Saturday\u2019s Memsie Stakes.<\/p>\n

9. Beiwacht<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 4YO Horse
Trainer:<\/strong> Chris Waller
Race Record:<\/strong> 13:3-3-1
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 All Aged Stakes (2026)<\/p>\n

Slot-holder Godolphin\u2019s number two seed but that\u2019s no slight on his ability. Building a stallion resume. Another to watch for in the Memsie.<\/p>\n

10. Lady Shenandoah<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 5YO Mare
Trainer:<\/strong> Chris Waller
Race Record:<\/strong> 16:5-4-3
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 Coolmore Classic (2025)<\/p>\n

A solid fourth in the G1 Winx Stakes last weekend, Lady Shenandoah may lack the sharpness required to be regularly competitive in Group 1 sprints but our experts have identified her as a \u2018knockout hope\u2019, especially if a high-pressure race falls apart.<\/p>\n

\"LadyZAC LLOYD, LADY SHENANDOAH \/ G1 Flight Stakes \/\/ Randwick \/\/\/ 2024 \/\/\/\/ Photo by Jeremy Ng<\/p>\n

11. Almeraq<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 4YO Horse
Trainer:<\/strong> William Haggas
Race Record:<\/strong> 8:4-2-0
Biggest Win:<\/strong> G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (2026)<\/p>\n

William Haggas loves taking the inflated Sydney prize money and obviously has the understanding of how best to prepare out of Canterbury. He is also a realist though. He posted a big win against Satono Reve and Joliestar at Royal Ascot but then was disappointing at Newmarket in the July Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

12. Giga Kick<\/p>\n

Age\/Sex:<\/strong> 7YO Gelding
Trainer: <\/strong>Clayton Douglas
Race Record:<\/strong> 23:9-3-3
Biggest Win:<\/strong> The Everest (2022)<\/p>\n

Winless in the autumn and will need this old adage to hold true \u2013\u00a0form is temporary, class is permanent. \u220e<\/p>\n

\"Cummings<\/p>\n

Michael Cox<\/p>\n

James Cummings Ready To Adapt For First Season As A Hong Kong Trainer<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Sydney<\/p>\n

Adam Pengilly<\/p>\n

The Red Sniper’s Spot: What Autumn Glow’s Winx Stakes Win Means For Ka Ying Rising<\/p>\n

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