SUNDAY: October 5, 2025: HAWKESBURY’S talented sprinter Jedibeel has earned a berth in the $20m The Everest field.

Leading trainer Brad Widdup confirmed this morning that Mulberry Racing had decided the gelding would run in their slot in Saturday week’s feature.

Jedibeel ran home strongly when fourth to fellow Everest rival Briasa in yesterday’s $1m Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

The Premiere was a weight-for-age contest, and The Everest will be run under the same conditions.

Jedibeel is already a winner at wfa, having produced a dazzling turn of foot to take the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on March 8 when on resumption.

“We had a meeting this morning when the decision was made to go with Jedibeel for The Everest,” Brad said.

“Mulberry went through a proper process and took the advice of a number of respected form students.

“I was really pleased to see Jedibeel run as well as he did yesterday, and Kerrin McEvoy was happy with him also.

“He will ride him again in The Everest.”

Whilst it will be Brad’s first starter in the world’s richest race on turf, he is taking it all in his stride.

“Obviously it’s a great thrill to be chosen to have a runner in The Everest, but I won’t be changing anything with Jedibeel’s training routine in the next fortnight,” he said.

“He has come through yesterday’s race well, and I believe still has a bit of improvement.

“Jedibeel had a setback when he jarred a joint just before we were ready to begin this preparation in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 6.

“Whilst it wasn’t major, it was still a setback and as a result he didn’t resume until The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick a fortnight ago.

“Things didn’t go right for him in the run that day, and he got a much better set-up yesterday and showed that he is worthy of lining up in The Everest.

“I’m fully aware it is not going to be an easy task, but I’m pretty happy with him.”

Jedibeel is rated at $51 chance with TAB.com.au in the latest The Everest market, dominated by Hong Kong champ Ka Ying Rising ($1.60), who will trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning.

Jedibeel was the first and only yearling Brad purchased in 2021 for Mulberry’s Mike Gregg, who races the now six-year-old gelding in partnership with his grandson Lachlan Sheridan.

He recalls he went beyond Gregg’s budget to get the son of Cox Plate winner Savabeel at the Inglis Classic sale for $190,000 because he really liked the horse – and didn’t want to let him slip.

Gregg went along with Brad’s decision, and so began a blossoming association between owner and trainer.

Jedibeel has won eight races and been placed as many times from 24 starts, and is verging on millionaire status.

His $40,000 from the Premiere fourth took his earnings to $969,650.