Melbourne Cup A Global Deal
- November 6th, 2012
- Posted by EUEditor
The 2012 outcome of the “race that stops a nationâ€, the Melbourne Cup, shows by how much the 3200-metre horse race has become a richly sought-after global prize.
Australian owners and trainers have been engaged in a long scramble to at least buy in and train stayers for the event, to face up to serious competitors from overseas, especially Europe.
European Royals, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, from England, were there to present the Cup – part of an Australian tour to commemorate the Queen’s jubilee year.
As for the race, the winner Green Moon, an outsider in the betting, was bred in Ireland, coming to an Australian owner, Lloyd Williams, trainer Robert Hickmott, and jockey for the Melbourne Cup (at other times riding in Hong Kong) Brett Prebble.
Likewise Fiorente, placed second, from the leading Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse (though as it happens a Scottish-born person), is from a German sire and Irish dam.
The third place-getter, Jakkalberry has raced in different countries, but again has Australian connections, being brought to Australia from Hong Kong.
The field of 24 had 18 imported horses.
Favourites among the millions of (rather disappointed) punters everywhere in Australia, and now much further afield, included the French horses Americain (winner of the 2010 Melbourne Cup) and Dunaden.
Prize money for the Melbourbne Cup was A$6.2-million.
See also, EUAustralia Online: “Melbourne Cup=Euro Cup 2011”, 2.11.11; “Melbourne Cup’s French Connections”, 2.11.10.