Les Bridge’s face told the story of more than 50 years training horses at Randwick after his Everest win in 2020 – the hard times and the good times – but he knew he had finally found his best horse, a legend so to speak. Classique Legend foaled in September 2015 is an Australian bred thoroughbred racehorse that is most notable for winning the 2020 running of The Everest. By the excellent sire, Not A Single Doubt (Redoutes Choice) out of the mare mare, Pinocchio (Encosta De Lago), he was a tough-looking, muscular, nuggety foal. Classique Legend was thick-set all round, with hind quarter and forearm strength like no other. He possessed a gentle nature, bold and fearless, with a streak of determination. Classique Legend sold for A$400,000 at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling sale. He was purchased for Hong Kong businessman Mr Bon Ho.

Classique Legend won at his race debut as a three-year-old on the 20 February 2019 at Randwick. He then went on to win two of his next three starts, culminating in victory in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint. Les Bridge hailed Classique Legend the best horse he's ever trained after his impressive swooping victory in the $500,000 Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick in September 2020.

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Classique Legend settled in the second half of the field and struggled to find clear galloping room early in the straight before switching off heels and surging past the gallant Eduardo, who raced three wide on the pace throughout and stayed on for second. Godolphin four-year-old entire Bivouac resumed with a creditable third, a further head away.

Hall of Fame trainer Les Bridge maintains racing never saw the best of outstanding grey sprinter Classique Legend though. This is some statement given Classique Legend won the 2020 The Everest and was at one stage rated the world's best sprinter. At just his eighth career start, Classique Legend raced in The Everest of 2019, where he finished an unlucky sixth placing, beaten 2.5 lengths behind Yes Yes Yes. Jockey Nash Rawiller said after the race, "I was pretty luckless. I never got a run at all when I needed it." While the Everest, with, a then $15 million at stake, is the richest turf race in the world, it lags behind the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup dirt races in the money stakes. But it is still a massive payday, with the established Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe paling in comparison. Since its inception in 2017, it has progressively boosted prize money with even the horse that came last, Dollar for Dollar, walking away with $450,000.

After victories in the 2020 June Stakes and The Shorts, Classique Legend started the $4.20 favourite in the 2020 edition of The Everest. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy settled him well back in the field as he went on to defeat Bivouac by 2.5 lengths with Gytrash running 3rd. Eduardo, steered by The Everest’s first female rider Rachel King, flew out of the blocks and led for much of the way with Nature Strip on it's heels, until favourite Classique Legend turned on the gas and they faded. Classique Legend gave McEvoy a third success in The Everest and the jockey maintains that win was one of the highlights of his celebrated riding career. After spending an extended period riding for the Godolphin stable in Europe, McEvoy became one of Australia’s premier riders, also winning three Melbourne Cups. It was yet another success for trainer Bridge, who had his first major win in the Golden Slipper Stakes in 1983.

Classique Legend had a chequered passage since his brilliant victory in the 2020 The Everest. He travelled to Hong Kong shortly after, but failed to acclimatise, so owner Bon Ho sent him back to Bridge’s Randwick stables. Bridge faced a momentous battle to get him fit for his Everest title defence and did an outstanding job to get the horse to the race, given he had competed just once in the preceding 12 months months. Les Bridge ruled Classique Legend out of the autumn with a leg injury, but the Hall Of Fame trainer was confident the star sprinter would be back to chase another Everest title. The gelding sprained a suspensory ligament during the running of the 2021 $15 million race in which he finished fifth to Nature Strip and Bridge said the horse was already undergoing treatment. 

The racing career of Classique Legend came to an end on in August 2023 with the Everest hero taking up residence at his home on the Central Coast farm of his raceday partner Kerrin McEvoy this week. Classique Legend only had 15 starts, winning six races including The Everest and The Shorts, earning $9,385,000 to be 10th on the nation's all-time list of prizemoney winners

RACE RECORD - 15: 6-2-2

EARNINGS- $9,385,500

Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (2019)

The Shorts (2020)

The Everest (2020)