It’s the soundtrack of The Everest, but James McDonald remembers the moment “Sweet Caroline” became the anthem of Sydney’s biggest party.
As the champion jockey returned from Nature Strip’s crown moment in the 2021 Everest, the public address belted out Sweet Caroline and the crowd went wild.
McDonald punched the air with his facemask dangling from his chin.
Not only had the favourite won The Everest, but the party, which had begun several hours earlier and was in full swing.
“It’s the thing I remember about Nature Strip’s Everest, not the really the race but Sweet Caroline,” McDonald said.
“I have never experienced anything like that on a racecourse. It was massive.
“It was a big deal to win the Everest, but the song will forever stay with me from that day.”
There were only 10,000 on course for The Everest in 2021, because of COVID restrictions. It was a sweet celebration and a coming-out party.
It started when Terry Robinson-trained Art Cadeau won the Kosciuszko and Randwick racecourse manager Michael Wood, sensing the moment, waved Tommy Berry to go up to the 300m mark in front of the crowd.
The country star was greeted like a returning hero.
People were there for the races, but it was a bit of normality to have a drink and party with mates.
The then Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley had made a captain’s call before Everest day about Sweet Caroline.
“I have been to sporting events all around the world, and it’s a song that people know and join in with,” Barkley said.
“We had a new sound system, so I didn’t tell anyone and played after the race.
“It was remarkable.”
The lyrics fitted perfectly.
“Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would”
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys knew they were on another winner, saying the next day.
“It was just good to see how the crowd reacted first to the Kosciuszko and then to The Everest and whoever came up with playing Sweet Caroline after the race is a genius,” he said.
“I was still singing it on the way home.”
While it sent horses scattering after the race by the volume of noise, Sweet Caroline was part of The Everest.
By 2022 it was a tradition being played as the field is on the way to the barriers.
The Everest has only been going for nine years and Sweet Caroline five, but it’s one of the great traditions of Australian sport.
Not long until we will be all singing the iconic Sweet Caroline on #TABEverest Day 🏔

🎟Tickets: https://t.co/Q2vBJM30fq pic.twitter.com/wLNrZ93Agh— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 12, 2023
