Trainer Michael Freedman’s highly-rated young sprinter Ninja has become the inaugural confirmed participant for the prestigious $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick next month.

Freedman announced that negotiations with slot-holder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds have concluded, securing a coveted start in the world’s richest turf race scheduled for October 17.

Ninja, who made a sensational return with a victory in the Missile Stakes last month, is a joint venture between micro-syndicators My Racehorse and Camilleri, the latter having bred the gelding and retained a portion of ownership.

With just six weeks remaining until The Everest, Ninja is the first of the twelve invited sprinters to officially confirm their participation.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s acclaimed sprinter Ka Ying Rising is set to compete in the Group 3 Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. Pending no unexpected issues, he will enter quarantine post-race, confirming his place via the Hong Kong Jockey Club slot.

Freedman commented that securing The Everest deal for Ninja provides crucial “clarity” as he finalises the four-year-old’s preparation for the lucrative Randwick sprint.

“I mentioned to John before Ninja even ran in the Missile that I was really happy with how he is going,” Freedman said. “Of course, John is a breeder and part-owner of Ninja and he just said let’s wait and see how he goes first-up.

“Then, The Everest became a realistic option so now he’s locked in, we can plot a path to the race.

“It’s nice to have that clarity but to be fair if he didn’t get a slot, I was planning to get him ready for the Sydney Stakes on the same day.”

Camilleri expressed his satisfaction with the agreement that guarantees Ninja a start in The Everest.

“I have had my heart set on him for a few months now,” Camilleri said.

“I’ve always thought he was more a sprinter rather than a mile.

“So, we have come full circle in a way. I bred the horse, retained a share in him and now he can run in the Fairway Thoroughbreds slot with My Racehorse.”

Ben Willis, the managing director of My Racehorse, highlighted the extensive ownership group, with 1700 individuals holding shares in Ninja.

“What The Everest has done is create conversation, innovation and has brought a new fan base into racing,” Willis stated.

“When you look here on Everest Day, it is filled with a young audience and new people to the sport.

“There are great synergies with what we have tried to develop from about five years ago when we first launched and that is to bring a new audience into racing.

“To have a horse running in a $20 million race, the world’s richest race on turf, is pretty special for My Racehorse.

“It validates what we are trying to do from a product perspective and that is to provide an opportunity to run in the best races in the world.”

In the early TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Everest, Ka Ying Rising is the commanding $1.50 favourite, followed by Tempted at $9, Guest House at $11, Joliestar at $13, and Ninja is rated at $15.

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