Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Plans are already in place for Melbourne Cup champion Dunaden to return to Australia to defend the title he won by the barest of margins at Flemington.

Trainer Mikel Delzangles said the horse had come through Tuesday’s race in perfect order and would return to France next week for a winter rest.

“If he’s well he’ll come back next year,” Delzangles said after inspecting Dunaden at the Werribee training centre on Wednesday.

If he does return, Dunaden seems bound to be accompanied by even more European runners than he faced this year, but his trainer isn’t subscribing to theories that Australia’s great race will be at the mercy of overseas runners.

“There will be more horses from Europe, but it doesn’t mean they will win every year,” he said.

“It is a very hard race to win.”

Dunaden’s achievement wasn’t lost on owner Sheikh Fahad al Thani, a 22-year-old member of the ruling family of Qatar who has been racing horses for less than two years.

“It is massive, I don’t think there is a bigger race to win,” Sheikh Fahad said.

“I am truly lucky to have done it in my second year, many people spend a lifetime trying to win this race.”

Both owner and trainer paid tribute to winning jockey Christophe Lemaire and the man he replaced aboard Dunaden, Melbourne rider Craig Williams who rode the horse to victory at Geelong two weeks ago but missed the Cup mount after being suspended.

“I am very thankful for Christophe and I am sorry for Craig,” Sheikh Fahad said.

“Christophe has a cool head, he walked the track and got a few pointers and he executed it perfectly.

“He’s a very calm man, he didn’t press the button too early … a magnificent ride.”

Williams celebrated the win with the Dunaden entourage and won praise from Delzangles for his handling of the situation.

“We were very happy to have him with us last night,” Delzangles said.

“I guess he’s feeling a bit sad, but he’s a gentleman and I’m sure he was very happy for us.”

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au