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“Not a doubt”: Retired jockey makes early Everest call
Andrew Slevison • July 8th, 2025 3:51 pm
Blake Spriggs has made a fairly significant call regarding the 2025 Everest.
Spriggs, who announced his retirement last week, believes his former mount Headwall would be a great winning chance - provided he gets a slot - in the world’s richest race on turf.
The pair have come together for four wins and three placings from seven starts over the course of their respective careers and Spriggs believes the son of Dream Ahead is the right type of Everest runner.
Headwall endured a luckless Autumn preparation, running fourth in the Oakleigh Plate, second in the Newmarket Handicap and third in the TJ Smith - all Group 1s - and second in the Quokka at Ascot in April.
“Not a doubt in my mind,” Spriggs said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up when asked if Headwall can win the $20m race.
“I know some people will laugh at it.
“But I’ve won on 10 horses out of his family. I won on his mother (Positive Quest), I won on his brothers and sisters and aunties and uncles. They all got better as they got older.
“If you look at his last prep he certainly improved throughout. He ran fourth in an Oakleigh Plate, second in a Newmarket, he was an unlucky third in the TJ. They’re some of the best races in our country for sprinters and he’s been competitive in all three. He was very close to winning the Quokka as well.
“Going back to Randwick will suit him. All of his tough wins have been on a good track last prep, but he’s also a lot better on a heavy track. If we get that rain that we can always get in Sydney on Everest day…
“If I’m a slot holder I’m looking for one that’s consistent, which he is, and can go on both heavy and good ground, he ticks that box, and he’s a winner at Randwick.
“No doubt in my mind that if I had a slot I’d be picking him. I know that there are people out there that would still have him in contention.”
Spriggs, 33, was forced into early retirement due to serious injuries sustained in a nasty fall in January which included bleeding on the brain and collapsed lungs.
The Everest takes place at Royal Randwick on October 18 and Headwall is currently priced at $26 with Sportsbet.
Only three horses - Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising (HKJC), the undefeated Private Harry (Yulong) and reigning TJ Smith champ Briasa (Whitby, Madden, McCann, Were) - currently have a slot for the Everest.
Now-retired mare Bella Nipotina and Craig Williams won the 2024 Everest for Ciaron Maher Racing.
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