As the Flemington Racecourse prepares for the thundering hooves, Vauban is on a quest to etch his name as the fifth Irish victor in the storied history of the Melbourne Cup.
Leading the pack in the race for glory this Tuesday is Vauban, with Irish trainer Willie Mullins vying for a maiden victory in the land down under’s most coveted horse racing event.
In the two-mile challenge, Mullins is also playing his cards with Absurde, as the defending champion Gold Trip aims to replicate last year’s success.
Anticipation bubbles over as a bustling crowd of 100,000 is expected to flock to Flemington for the spectacle widely hailed as “the race that stops a nation.”
Britain’s own Ryan Moore, who tasted victory in 2014 aboard Protectionist, will be in the saddle guiding Vauban, fresh off his Breeders’ Cup Turf win in the United States astride Auguste Rodin.
Mullins, a household name in jump racing with accolades like the Grand National and three Cheltenham Gold Cups under his belt, stands on the brink of his most monumental flat racing triumph.
“Given what our stable is all about, I reckon pulling off a win at the Breeders’ Cup is a long shot, and conquering the Arc is a herculean task. So, for us and the horses we nurture, this could well be the apex of global races we could ever hope to claim,” Mullins shared.
The Melbourne Cup’s history has seen four previous champions hailing from Irish stables – Vintage Crop who blazed to glory in 1993, Media Puzzle in 2002, Rekindling in 2017, and Twilight Payment in the recent 2020 race.
Joseph O’Brien, the mastermind behind Rekindling and Twilight Payment’s victories, enters the fray with Okita Soushi this year.
In a landmark moment, British jockey Hollie Doyle is set to be the first female jockey not from Australia or New Zealand to compete, as she joins forces with Future History under the guidance of trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
This duo, fresh from Gold Trip’s last year’s victory lap, also presents hopefuls Right You Are, Ashrun, and Interpretation.
Doyle aims to emulate Michelle Payne’s 2015 historic win on Prince of Penzance, with Maher commenting, “With Doyle in charge, whose prowess is among Europe’s finest, Future History is bound to make an impact.”
Other names that stand out in the lineup include Caulfield Cup victor Without A Fight, Soulcombe – who previously trained under Britain’s William Haggas – and Japan’s Breakup.
Serpentine, the unexpected 2020 Derby winner at Epsom for Aidan O’Brien, takes to the field with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in his corner.
The event’s stewards have their fingers crossed for a safe race for all, continuing the incident-free streak from the past two years.
After a spate of six equine deaths over eight years, 2021 saw the introduction of more stringent examinations for international competitors, a move to preserve the revered tradition and spirit of the Melbourne Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Melbourne Cup 2023
Who are the leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup this year?
Vauban and Gold Trip are among the leading contenders for this year’s Melbourne Cup. Vauban is being ridden by Ryan Moore, who is coming off a recent victory at the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and is trained by the accomplished Willie Mullins. Gold Trip, last year’s champion, is also a top contender looking to defend his title.
Can Willie Mullins claim his first Melbourne Cup victory?
Willie Mullins, renowned for his achievements in jump racing, including victories at the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cups, has a strong chance of clinching his first Melbourne Cup win this year. With Vauban as a strong contender and Absurde also in the running, Mullins is well-positioned to take the prestigious title.
What makes the Melbourne Cup significant for Irish-trained horses?
The Melbourne Cup holds special significance for Irish-trained horses as a win in this event would make Vauban the fifth Irish horse to win the race. Irish horses have historically performed well in this event, with previous winners including Vintage Crop, Media Puzzle, Rekindling, and Twilight Payment.
How is British jockey Hollie Doyle making history in the Melbourne Cup?
Hollie Doyle is making history as the first female jockey from outside Australia or New Zealand to participate in the Melbourne Cup. She will be riding Future History and aims to follow in the footsteps of Michelle Payne, who in 2015 became the first female jockey to win the race.
What safety measures have been introduced for the Melbourne Cup runners?
After concerns over equine fatalities, with six deaths occurring in eight years, stricter checks on overseas runners were introduced in 2021. The aim is to enhance the safety of all participants and to ensure the welfare of the horses, hoping to continue the incident-free record established in the last two editions of the race.
More about fokus keyword Melbourne Cup 2023
- Melbourne Cup History and Winners
- Willie Mullins Trainer Profile
- Ryan Moore Jockey Stats
- Hollie Doyle Career Highlights
- Equine Safety Measures at Flemington
5 comments
wow I can’t wait to see if Mullins can finally snag a win at the Melbourne Cup with Vauban, heard a lot about this horse’s potential, surely it’s gonna be a race to remember!
Gold Trip to win it again? I dunno, my money’s on one of the newbies, Vauban or maybe that Japanese horse Breakup, always exciting to see fresh talent on the track
So Hollie Doyle is riding Future History? that’s big news, she’s tough as nails, reckon she’s got a good shot at following in Michelle Payne’s footsteps, also isn’t it about time we have more women taking the lead in these big races
mullins saying winning the Melbourne cup would be the biggest thing for them, bigger than the Arc? thats a bold statement but then again it’s the race that stops the nation for a reason right
looks like they’ve got their act together with the horse safety this year, those fatalities were a real black mark on the sport… hoping they keep up the strict checks, gotta look after the horses right?