The first emergency to ever win the Caulfield Cup, Durston has sadly died in a paddock accident this morning.
Durston produced one of the great upsets in Australian racing history when he narrowly defeated Gold Trip to win the Caulfield Cup after gaining a start as an emergency.
The victory marked the first time an emergency runner had won the prestigious handicap, with Durston earning a last-minute call-up into the field before delivering a memorable performance.
However, he was unable to attempt the traditional Cups double after failing to pass mandatory CT scans, ruling him out of the Melbourne Cup.
Durston then missed the entire 2023 season after being sidelined by a series of hoof and tendon injuries before the decision was made to retire the gelding by connections.
Living Legends social media account made the sad announcement on Saturday.
The message wrote:
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Durston, who was sadly lost following a paddock accident during what was one of his regular morning gallops with paddock mates Twilight Payment and So Si Bon.
Durston was a truly gentle soul — affectionate, cuddly, and full of character. He loved a gallop around the paddock and was always up to a little bit of cheeky mischief, keeping everyone on their toes and smiling along the way.
A winner of the 2022 Caulfield Cup, trained by Chris Waller, Durston leaves behind a legacy both on and off the track, remembered just as much for his nature as his talent.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his owners, connections, and everyone who loved him. He will be deeply missed 🤍
