Melbourne Cup Memories

Melbourne Cup Memories

David writes:

As we reflect on the Race That Stops Two Nations, my mind drifts back to 1993 — a year that forever changed the landscape of the Melbourne Cup. It was the year Vintage Crop, an extraordinary Irish stayer, etched his name into history as the first European-trained winner of Australia’s greatest race.

Vintage Crop’s remarkable journey came to a close in 2014 when he passed away at 27. His victory still stirs deep nostalgia within Te Akau Racing and among racing enthusiasts around the world.

Trained by the legendary Irish horseman Dermot Weld, Vintage Crop’s triumph was groundbreaking. He opened the door for generations of European horses to contest and win the Melbourne Cup, transforming it into a truly international event.

But 1993 was significant for another reason. That same year, Te Akau Nick — a horse with an indelible connection to Te Akau Racing — finished runner-up. It was a proud moment that showcased the foresight and belief of those who recognised his potential.

Purchased for $40,000 at the Magic Millions Sale, Te Akau Nick, a Grosvenor colt, was destined for greatness. He made a spectacular debut at four, winning a two-mile race by eight lengths — an early sign of the talent that lay ahead. His career spanned both hurdles and flat racing, highlighted by two Irish St Leger victories that earned him his place in the Melbourne Cup.

In that famous race, Vintage Crop and Te Akau Nick ran side by side — two trailblazers from opposite sides of the world. Vintage Crop would return for two more Melbourne Cups and is now immortalised with a life-size statue overlooking the paddock at Ireland’s famed Curragh Racecourse.

Te Akau Nick, wearing the unmistakable tangerine, made his own mark. Trained initially by Colin Jillings, he won his first start as a three-year-old before moving to the care of Gai Waterhouse, who guided him to victory in the 1992 Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap in Sydney.

Then came 1993 — his “big go” in the Melbourne Cup. Te Akau Nick ran a gallant second behind Vintage Crop, falling just short of the ultimate prize. It was a day of triumph and heartbreak all at once, as the Cup’s history was rewritten.

His achievements were many: victories in the Group 3 AJC Chairman’s Handicap and Group 2 AJC St Leger, and a second in the Group 1 Sydney Cup. His consistency and courage were recognised when he was named Champion NSW Stayer of the Year at the AJC Awards.

The Melbourne Cup has long been part of Te Akau’s story. Distinctly Secret, a horse I bred, bravely tackled the Cup twice — finishing sixth in 2002 and seventh in 2003 — both times from the dreaded barrier 18, a gate long thought cursed.

That superstition lingered until 2022, when Verry Elleegant, carrying 57 kg, broke the so-called barrier 18 curse with a brilliant victory. It was a triumph worthy of a champion — and proof that in racing, myths are made to be broken.

As I look back on these treasured Melbourne Cup memories, one thing remains clear: the Te Akau spirit and determination to conquer the Race That Stops Two Nations burns as strong as ever. The pursuit of victory continues — and so too does the hope for new memories in the years ahead.

Happy Melbourne Cup Day to all!