Salisbury Subzero Memorial Rose Garden

‘Subbie’ captured the hearts of a nation when he won the 1992 Melbourne Cup, but it was his work in retirement as a charity ambassador, visiting schools, hospitals and nursing homes to bring joy to so many Australians, that really made him a beloved icon.

Graham Salisbury was a clerk of the course for nearly fifty years and identified Subbie as a potential partner before he was even broken in. They worked at Flemington as clerks of the course together for many years, and Graham took Subbie as his own in retirement. The pair had an unbreakable bond, and Salisbury accompanied the champion grey around the country and the world.

Graham’s dedication to Subzero and their remarkable bond touched the hearts of many, making them enduring figures in Australian racing history. Subzero died in 2020 at the age of 32, just a few months after his best friend Graham had passed away. Their legacy lives on as a symbol of the power of the human-horse connection.

In a partnership between the Salisbury family and the VRC, a new rose garden has been planted in the Parade Ring, offering a beautiful place to pause, reflect and remember. A bespoke rose has been bred especially for the garden, fittingly called ‘the Subzero’. It is a brilliant white, a nod to Subbie’s distinctive colouring.

The renowned rose gardens at Flemington Racecourse stand as a symbol of timeless elegance and natural beauty. The gardens invite visitors to immerse themselves in a world of colour and fragrance, adding an extra layer of charm to the racing experience. This year, a new rose and garden are being unveiled in honour of two very special friends of Flemington, the late Subzero and his best mate, Graham Salisbury.

The Rose

A brilliant white rose bred specifically for the Salisbury Subzero Memorial Rose Garden by Kim Syrus of Corporate Roses in South Australia.

We chat to Flemington's 'Keeper of the Roses' Mick Ryan below.