Who’s Your Pick for the Melbourne Cup 2020?

The Melbourne Cup is surely one of the most prestigious horse races, not only in Australia but the world as a whole. Taking places on November 3^rd at Flemmington Park race course in Melbourne Victoria every year, and with prize money that is up there with any race across the globe, all eyes are on this Group One affair, and the cream of the racing crop from horses and jockeys to trainers and owners are all in attendance and looking to grab themselves a little piece of racing history. Being that the 2 mile race dates back an amazing 159 years it’s no wonder that those in the racing world want to stake a claim to a prize held in such high regard by those involved in the sport, as well as those watching on TV.

And what history this occasion has had over the years. There hasn’t been much that hasn’t happened in the Cup over this time, glass ceilings and records alike have come crashing down. In the early days of the race in 1876 we even saw a twelve year old child, riding on Australian thoroughbred Briseis, managing to achieve victory in the race. Equally noteworthy wins include Legend of the sport Phar Lap winning his first Melbourne Cup in 1930 (while at ‘odds on’, the shortest odds for a favourite in Melbourne Cup history). And last but not least one of the aforementioned ‘Glass Ceiling’ moments, namely in 2003 when the first Australian female jockey rode in the Melbourne Cup (Clare Lindop on Debben). Opportunity clearly breeds success, as it was a mere twelve years later when the first woman jockey won the Cup (Michelle Payne on Prince of Penzance ).

So with such expectation and the prospect of watching history in the making, what does the 2020 Melbourne Cup have in store for us and what questions are waiting to be answered from those in with a shot of victory? Does favourite Tiger Moth have what it takes to win the cup? (he made easy work of the Kilternan Stakes recently, beating Lloyd Williams’ Buckburst, who himself finished mid-field in the Caulfield Cup). Or perhaps Sir Dragonet, whose owner is no doubt relishing the prospect of winning the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year. (he’d be only the 8^th horse to do so). When it comes to making the history books its all on the line in the Melbourne Cup and every horse, jockey and trainer will be going all out on the day. Don’t miss it.

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Ascot

The Ascot racecourse is one of the, for want of a better word, important racecourse to the country. It hosts no less than 13 of the 36 annual group one races held in the UK and is home to such popular and longstanding races as the King’s Stand Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champion Stakes. Many of these races are steeped in hundreds of years of history.

In addition to hosting such prestigious individual races, the Ascot racecourse stages October’s British Champions Day each year. This is a world class event launched in 2011 and has featured a who’s who of horse racing talented ever since. It got off to a seriously impressive start when Frankel won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes there in its opening year. The following year he did a victory lap of sorts, winning his last ever race, the Champion Stakes, before retiring from racing undefeated. The five races that make up British Champions Day are: British Champions Sprint Stakes , British Champions Long Distance Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champion Stakes. All but the Long Distance Cup are Group One races.

As high class as the relatively newly minted British Champions Day may be, it still can’t quite compared to the real jewel in the crown though, which dates all the way back to 1711, namely Royal Ascot. The Royal Ascot festival and indeed the racecourse itself was founded by Queen Anne that year and is to this day attended by a member of the Royal family each year. They take their place in the ‘Royal Enclosure’.

With 300,000+ attending Royal Ascot over the five days, those on course and watching at home get to feast on group one racing action and numerous other ultra competitive matchups. Prize money for the entire event is well over £6 million with a Purse of £750,000 for the Prince of Wales Stakes alone. The Ascot Gold Cup is another highlight for many and that takes place on the ever popular Ladies Day.

In part due to its Royal links, the course has popular cultural significance, and has featured in movies as well as being the subject and setting of songs. My Fair Lady’s ‘Ascot Gavotte’ is one example of this.

Kempton Park

Kempton Park racecourse in situated in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, UK. The track is surrounded by a park and woodland and there is easy access via Kemptom train station which was built especially for the course.

Kemptom Park has an inner and outer course and so can cater to both flat and national hunt racing. Three grade one races take place at the course too, the King George VI Chase, Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and the Christmas Hurdle. All races for four year old horses and over.

The King George VI Chase is held on Boxing Day each year (as are the other two grade one races) and run over a distance of three miles. The steeplechase was first held in 1937 and has a purse of £225,000. it’s one of the most prestigious Chases in the country and has been won by such legends of the sport as Desert Orchid, back to back in 1988, 1989 and 1990, and Kauto Star four years in a row from 2006 to 2009, and again in 2011.

The successes of both Desert Orchid and Kauto Star are celebrated as part of this very December meeting with the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase taking place on Decmber 26th and Desert Orchid Chase on 27th.

The Christmas Hurdle is also a much respected grade one race. So much so that it’s part of the Triple crown of Hurdling, which also consists of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) and the Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham). The Sir Michael Stoute trained Kribensis is the only horse to have won all three races (in 1989-1990).

The Kempton Park racecourse came to be when a 19th century businessman came across Kempton Park and Manor for sale and thought it would be an ideal site for a race course. The course is however set to close in 2021 with the grade one races moved to Sandown Park, as part of an investment program and to meet regional housing needs.

Doncaster

The Doncaster racecourse is a racecourse in Donaster, South Yorkshire, UK. It’s home to two of the most treasured group one races in British racing, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy (now known as The Vertem Futurity Trophy). The course is 1 mile 7½ furlongs and both flat and jump racing take place here.

Doncaster has long been a hub for racing in the UK, with records as far back as the 16th century showing that horse racing took place there. The earliest race of note though has to be the Doncaster Cup which was first run in 1766 and continues to this day. Its long history saw it become part of the Stayers’ Triple Crown (in combination with the Goodwood Cup and Ascot Gold Cup), previously won by Kauto Star.

Colonel Anthony St. Leger founded the (you guessed it!) St Leger Stakes in 1776. It’s the oldest known classic horse race, and is run over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 115 yards in September of each year. The purse for the race, which is for three year olds, is close to £750,000 and winning it certainly marks out a horse as something special.

The Vertem Futurity Trophy (aka Racing Post Trophy) is the other group one race held at Doncaster racecourse – in late October each year. This race, for two year olds, takes place over a distance of one mile, and the inaugural run took place in 1961. Both Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery to this day share the best jockey record with five wins a piece. Henry Cecil is leading trainer with ten wins to his name. Three legends of the sport, still looming large.

Five winners of the Vertem Futurity Trophy, including Reference Point and Camelot, have gone on to win the Derby the following year. This surely speaks to the quality of those that take part.