The Kosciuszko

After the success of the Everest, Racing NSW introduced a smaller version for country trained horses in the state to be known as The Kosciuszko.

To be run at Randwick by the Australian Turf Club on Everest day, it was slightly different in terms of the setup of the race. 

Run over 1200m under Set Weights and Penalty conditions, The Kosciuszko was worth $2,000,000.

Like the Everest, the field was restricted in numbers (to 14 runners in 2020) but unlike the Everest, it was decided in another manner.

Punters around NSW could purchase $5 tickets from TAB accounts, venues and phone and then there was a draw in mid-September much like a Sweepstakes.

Once the 14 tickets were drawn, those people with live tickets had an option to negotiate with the actual owners of country trained horses for those horses to run for them in The Kosciuszko. They also negotiate the breakup of prizemoney.

Racing NSW could assist in the provision on information of the horses which could be allocated.

In 2024, the horses were from NSW Country and ACT areas and Group 1 winners after 31 Dec 2022 were ineligible.

Horses from all around NSW competed in the first running in 2018 with some elite horses that were stakes runners in the field. However, on a day of rain on and off, it was conducted on Heavy going.

The field for the 2023 running of The Kosciuszko included Front Page, Opal Ridge, Far Too Easy, Cavalier Charles, I've Bean Tryin', Kimberley Secrets, Akasawa, Our Last Cash, Derry Grove, Mogo Magic, Sizzle Minizzle, Mnementh, Bianco Vilano, Broken Hill.

In 2019 it went to one of those added Canberra runners. On the line, the last two Country Championships winners and the last Provincial Championships winner finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th.

It's Me won in 2020 after her trainer Brett Cavanough believed she may be scratched after encountering some issues in the week leading up. But the vets cleared her and she got up late.

Art Cadeau became the first horse to do the Country Championships/Kosciuszko double.

Front Page became the first horse to win the race twice and in doing so led all the way both times.

The winner of The Kosciuszko in 2023 was Front Page (Tyler Schiller/Matthew Dale) from Opal Ridge and Far Too Easy.