Ben Allen picks up Absurde ride in the Caulfield Cup 2025

Eight years after his first Caulfield Cup appearance, jockey Ben Allen will again line up in the famous race, this time aboard Irish stayer Absurde for champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Allen, who has enjoyed a breakout year in the saddle, was thrilled to receive the call-up for Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), marking his first ride in the feature since guiding Night’s Watch in 2018.

It’s not the first time Allen has partnered a Mullins-trained stayer. As an apprentice, he was drafted in at the last minute to ride Thomas Hobson in the 2017 Melbourne Cup (3200m), finishing a brave sixth after Joao Moreira was sidelined following a fall earlier in the day.

“I asked my manager to give them a call and see if the ride was available, but we only had an old number for them, and it was disconnected,” Allen said. “By chance, Paul Bloodworth gave her a call after he had put together a list of riders for them. I did ride Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup, so maybe that helped.”

Allen will guide Absurde in the Caulfield Cup before three-time Melbourne Cup winner Kerrin McEvoy takes over for the Flemington classic on November 4. The 25-year-old said he’s relishing the chance to link up again with Mullins and compete at the elite level.

“I’ve watched a couple of his Cup runs and I’ll go and have a look at the rest of races,” Allen said. “He looks the ideal ride for this type of staying race, and he will need a genuine tempo and nine times out of 10 they are run at a pretty good gallop. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden in the Caulfield Cup, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Allen’s return highlights the growing bond between international trainers and Australian riders during the spring carnival. With Absurde already proven in top company, the local hoop could be poised for one of his most significant victories yet. To explore odds and betting offers for the Caulfield Cup, visit Australia’s leading bookmakers.