A winning jockey could take home $350,000 for barely a minute’s work when 12 of the world’s fastest sprinters line up in The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.But that extraordinary payday is only one slice of the money changing hands in the world’s richest horse race on turf.With a $20million prize pool, the October 17 showdown offers huge rewards for trainers, stable staff and the owners and business figures who secure a place in the starting gates.Even the runners finishing last will earn their connections a share of $700,000.The winning horse collects $7million, according to The Sporting News, but that money does not simply land in its owner’s bank account.Under the published breakdown, $5.81million goes to the slot holder and owner, while the trainer receives $700,000 and the jockey takes home $350,000. The Everest offers a $20million prize pool, with even the last horse earning its connections $700,000. Pictured: attendees at the Australian Turf Club The winning jockey will pocket $350,000 if successful in Saturday’s race The winning horse collects $7million, divided between its owner, slot holder, trainer, jockey and stable staff. Pictured, spectators cheer on their horses at the Australian Turf ClubAnother $140,000 is allocated to stablehands, rewarding the staff whose work behind the scenes helps get the horse to the starting line.But how much the owner actually keeps depends on a private deal negotiated long before the gates open. The Everest operates under an unusual business model in which 12 slot holders pay $700,000 each for the right to enter a runner.They can select their own horse or negotiate with the connections of another sprinter to represent them.That means owning a fast horse does not automatically secure a place, while owning a slot does not require someone to own a horse.Instead, the two sides strike an agreement covering their involvement and how they will divide the proceeds. There is no universal split.An owner and slot holder could therefore celebrate the same victory while receiving very different amounts from the $5.81million allocated to them.The negotiations turn the months before the race into a high-stakes contest of its own, with slot holders weighing up form and trainers trying to prove their horses deserve a chance. Defending champion Ka Ying Rising (left) will chase another lucrative prize at Royal Randwick on Saturday Fashion, champagne and elite racing combine to make The Everest one of Sydney’s biggest spring occasions For those who miss out on the winner’s cheque, the consolation prizes remain substantial.Second place pays $2.9million overall, including $2.407million for the slot holder and owner, $290,000 for the trainer, $145,000 for the jockey and $58,000 for stablehands.Third place earns $2million, with the jockey’s share alone reaching $100,000. Fourth pays $1.5million, fifth returns $1.2million and sixth collects $950,000.Every horse finishing seventh to 12th receives $700,000, including $581,000 for the slot holder and owner, $70,000 for the trainer, $35,000 for the jockey and $14,000 for stablehands.Although that total matches the advertised cost of a slot, it does not mean a slot holder automatically gets their money back.The purse is divided between several parties, and the slot holder’s return depends on their agreement with the horse’s owner.There are also valuable trophies on top of the cash.The owner’s trophy is valued at $625,000, while the winning trainer and jockey receive trophies worth about $52,500 each. Glamorous outfits and trackside photos are as much a part of Everest Day as the action on the turf. Pictured, Gai and Kate Waterhouse, Duncan James and Tim Brimmer at the Everest Carnival in September 2025 Even runners finishing seventh to 12th earn $35,000 for their jockey and $70,000 for their trainer For trainers, the financial rewards can extend well beyond a single afternoon.Clayton Douglas, whose sprinter Giga Kick won the race in 2022, revealed in a documentary interview that the victory helped him buy a house.His experience illustrates the significant financial impact the race can have on those involved in preparing its runners. This year, defending champion Ka Ying Rising is set to chase another enormous payday for his connections, with David Hayes training and Zac Purton riding.Last year’s runner-up Tempted is also in the field, trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Chad Schofield.Behind those headline names sits a business operation that has helped The Everest grow from a $10million race at its launch in 2017 to today’s $20million spectacle.The 12 slot fees generate $8.4million, making them a substantial contribution but insufficient to cover the prize pool alone.Wagering revenue, sponsorship and the wider commercial appeal of the event help underpin its financial model.For spectators, Saturday’s attraction is a 1,200-metre sprint featuring some of the nation’s top horses. For those with a financial stake in its runners, it is the moment months of preparation and private negotiations are translated into prize money. Away from the racing, spectators can enjoy pop-up bars, food outlets and interactive trackside attractions, including the Chandon Spritz Garden, Canadian Club Bar and TAB Green.Fashion Stakes competitions add to the glamour, giving racegoers another reason to dress to impress.After the final race, BRIT-nominated UK dance artist Nathan Dawe will keep the party going with an exclusive DJ set.