Luck of the Irish

The first major Irish success in the Melbourne Cup came in 1993 when Vintage Crop, trained by the legendary Dermot Weld, broke new ground as the first Northern Hemisphere-trained horse to win the Cup. His victory demonstrated that international horses could travel to Australia and succeed in its toughest race, opening the door for future international competitors and cementing Weld’s status as a trailblazing trainer.

Nine years later, Weld returned with Media Puzzle, securing his second Melbourne Cup victory. The win was especially poignant, as it came just days after the death of jockey Damien Oliver’s brother, Jason. Oliver’s emotional ride and tribute to his brother remain one of the most memorable moments in Melbourne Cup history.

In 2017, Joseph O’Brien, son of legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien, won the Lexus Melbourne Cup with Rekindling. At just 24, Joseph became the youngest trainer to win the Cup, continuing the Irish winning tradition and highlighting a new generation of Irish trainers. That year, the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite took third place, with Mullins’ other runners, Thomas Hobson and Wicklow Brave, finishing sixth and tenth respectively. Max Dynamite had also come agonisingly close in 2015, finishing second to Michelle Payne and Price Of Penzance.

The 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup saw another Irish triumph with Twilight Payment, also trained by Joseph O’Brien. Twilight Payment’s victory at the age of eight was a testament to the horse’s endurance and O’Brien’s strategic brilliance.

In 2023, the Irish magic was seen in a different way when Irish-bred Without A Fight won with Mark Zahra on board for Flemington trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, achieving a Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, the first since 2001.

The significance of having a runner in the Lexus Melbourne Cup is something Irish connections ‘pinch themselves’ about, even with second placings like Heartbreak City to Almandin in 2016.

The success of the Irish at the Lexus Melbourne Cup has brought glory to Ireland and enriched the Cup’s history with unforgettable moments of triumph. As the Cup evolves, the legacy of Irish winners remains an example of international excellence in horse racing