The Ebor Handicap is the second international race to offer automatic entry into the Lexus Melbourne Cup and has a strong link to the ‘race that stops a nation’™, with several Ebor runners travelling to Flemington to compete including last year’s winner Absurde for Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
Magical Zoe joins stablemate Term of Endearment as a potential Lexus Melbourne Cup contender for trainer Henry De Bromhead who said he was excited at the prospect of travelling to Melbourne for the world's richest handicap on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
“We would love to go to the Melbourne Cup. It is an iconic race and it’s a race that I would love to try and win,” Mr De Bromhead said.
“She’s a brilliant mare, she has been a little bit unlucky in some of her races, so we are delighted to see her win one of the big ones.
“We were very aware of it [golden ticket] coming into it. It’s a dream for me, I would love to have a runner down there and I would love to win it and why couldn’t she?”
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chairman Neil Wilson said he was looking forward to welcoming the connections of Magical Zoe to Flemington.
“The journey for the connections of Magical Zoe is just beginning as they plan their path toward Flemington to take their spot in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup, which is only 72 days away,” Mr Wilson said.
“The long-standing partnership with York Racecourse continues to support and celebrate the internationalisation of the sport.
Chief Executive of York Racecourse William Derby said the York Race Committee was delighted to continue their strong and enduring partnership with the VRC and build on the historic and deep connection between these two famous races.
"The introduction last year of the first ever international golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup via the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap received an overwhelmingly positive reaction and builds on many years of star performers at York’s flagship Sky Bet Ebor Festival progressing to race at the Spring Carnival. This fabulous global partnership saw Absurde win under Frankie Detorri at York and then run with credit in seventh in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We wish Magical Zoe well and our Chair Bridget Guerin is very much looking forward to being at Flemington for the first Tuesday in November to cheer them on!” Mr Derby said.
On Friday, another Lexus Melbourne Cup contender, Vauban returned to his winning ways taking out the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York with owner Rich Ricci declaring post-race the horse will travel back to Melbourne for a second chance at victory.
