Legendary Irish horse racing trainer Willie Mullins’ attempt at winning the multi-million pound Melbourne Cup has ended in double disappointment, after the two horses he sent all the way over to Australia both failed to claim victory.
Hopes were high when Vauban and Absurde completed a one-two in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot back in June. Mullins, best known for his achievements training jumps horses, eyed an opportunity to win one of the biggest flat races in the world, not to mention getting his hands on a healthy portion of the eight million Australian dollar prize pot.
Vauban went off as favourite, and both runners were in contention as they entered the final three furlongs vying for the lead before ultimately falling away. The Melbourne Cup results revealed a mixed outcome. Absurde managed a respectable 7th place, securing around a £100,000 payout, while Vauban’s performance was more disappointing, landing in 14th place of the 23 runners.
Mullins’ assessment of the race summed up his mixed feelings. “I thought Vauban was a little disappointing all round. He was beaten too far out for my liking. He just flattened out and ran very disappointing. But there we are. That’s the nature of this game. I thought Absurde ran a cracker. He was in a position to win at one stage coming up the straight but didn’t see it out.”
Mullins had already hinted that the 2024 Melbourne Cup could be the moment when Absurde stands his best chance of success, giving ante-post punters reason to take up odds of 33/1 that he’ll secure victory in 12 months time.
Before then, the focus undoubtedly will shift to the long run in towards the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in March. Mullins, renowned for his remarkable record of 94 Cheltenham Festival wins, will be confident of taking home at least a couple of the big prizes if the early odds are any indication of what to expect.
El Fabiolo, the comfortable winner of this year’s Arkle, is set to be the horse to beat in the 2024 Champion Chase. Meanwhile, Galopin Des Champs, will aim to join racing legends like Kauto Star and Best Mate as a multiple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. Prospective backers should get the chance to gauge his early form at the John Durkan Memorial which takes place later this month at Punchestown.
