Vauban unlikely to race before the Melbourne Cup
Willie Mullins, trainer of Melbourne Cup favorite Vauban, has signaled that the talented gelding is unlikely to race again before the prestigious event on the first Tuesday of November.
Vauban secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup after a notable victory in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas.
Mullins revealed that jockey Ryan Moore is keen to ride Vauban, and the horse’s connections are supportive of the decision.
“I don’t predict he will want another run… I’d like to go there on what we’ve done now.” Mullins stated on Nick Luck’s podcast.
The dominant nature of Vauban’s recent Ballyroan win caught Mullins by surprise, admitting, “Probably the manner in which he won surprised me.”
The focus now is on preparing Vauban for the Melbourne Cup, with Mullins expressing confidence in the horse’s ability to perform well over the longer 3200-meter distance.
The path to the Melbourne Cup was always in consideration, as Mullins noted, “When we were buying him, we thought he could come back to the flat and be a Melbourne Cup horse.”
More Racing News
Rawiller's tactical genius seals win for Run Harry Run
Champion jockey Nash Rawiller delivered a signature front-running performance to guide Run Harry Run to a tenacious victory in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1500 metres at Rosehill.The experienced rider expertly controlled the pace aboard the Lindsay Park gelding, drawing out two spirited efforts from the horse...
Touchdown continues impressive streak with Flemington victory
The strategic acquisition by Lindsay Park of former New Zealand galloper Touchdown is proving highly successful, as the promising five-year-old gelding delivered another exceptional performance at Flemington.This Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has extended its impressive record to five wins and three placings from just nine starts, securing a...
Steel Strike claims narrow victory at Rosehill
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott kicked off the new racing season with a win courtesy of Steel Strike in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.The quick-starting galloper Felix Majestic thrived on the firmer ground, dictating terms and building a four-length advantage over his pursuers, with...
Aye Aye Captain claims Rosehill victory
Les Bridge, a seasoned trainer, saw his birthday celebrations extended at Rosehill when Aye Aye Captain returned to winning form. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy confessed he had a result to repay the stable after a misguided recommendation in her prior start.The mare had previously disappointed, finishing fifth as the favourite on...
Horizons completes stable double for Freedman partnership at Rosehill
Richard and Will Freedman have made an impressive start to the 2026/27 Sydney racing season, with Horizons securing a stable quinella at Rosehill and placing the training partnership at the top of the early premiership standings.After Attractiveness took out the first race on the card, Horizons demonstrated her grit with...
Gatwick poised for Stakes race challenges
Progressive mare Gatwick has emerged as a Stakes race contender following a determined front-running performance to secure the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper achieved her second win in her last three starts, dictating terms throughout under Zac Lloyd and finding the...
Funshow's gelding proves a masterstroke with Rosehill triumph
Nathan Doyle's astute decision to geld the promising sprinter Funshow has yielded spectacular results, with the emerging four-year-old completing a hat-trick of wins in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.Doyle conceded that Funshow possessed significant ability early in his racing career, but also displayed sufficient characteristics...
Blake Shinn marks successful return with a win on first ride
Blake Shinn has made a triumphant return to race riding, achieving a victory with his initial mount after being sidelined by injury.Back at Flemington for the first time since his significant fall on Melbourne Cup Day last year, Shinn guided Nearco Frod, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, to a...
Snitzel achieves fifth Champion Stallion title
In a significant achievement for Australian breeding, Snitzel has re-established himself as the nation's Champion Stallion for the 2025/26 season. This marks a historic moment, as he becomes only the second sire in history to regain this prestigious title after holding it for a minimum of four consecutive years.The renowned...
Unbelievable, brother to City Of Troy, set for Australian debut at Flemington
A horse with a truly remarkable background is slated to make his Australian debut at Flemington this Saturday when Unbelievable takes to the track for trainer Clayton Douglas.This extensively travelled galloper is entered for the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m), marking a new chapter after careers in Ireland, Hong...