It’s back to work today not only for the 97,112 racing lovers who attended Melbourne Cup Day, but also for superstar trainer Ciaron Maher after his horse Point Of Law claimed victory.
Maher became the first trainer in the Cup’s 165-year history to be responsible for the first three horses to cross the finish line in the $10.2million race.
Along with Point Of Law, ridden by jockey Ethan Brown, Zahrann jockeyed by Ben Melham, and Juja Kibo ridden by Sam Clipperton finished at two and three respectively.
Victorian-born Maher – who runs a massive operation spanning seven training facilities and housing some 400 horses – will be back at it to prepare for the remainder of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including Oaks Day on Thursday.
‘Racing’s a great game… You don’t dwell or look back too much,’ Maher said after the race.
‘The hard work, dedication, early mornings and countless hours behind the scenes have all led to this moment.’
Melbourne Cup partygoers made the most of the fine weather
Jockey Ethan Brown and trainer Ciaron Maher hold the Cup aloft after Brown rode British horse Point Of Law to win the Melbourne Cup
There’ll likely be a few sore heads in the morning following the festivities
Joining him back at the grind will be partygoers who soaked up the atmosphere at Flemington Racecourse yesterday.
While the day started grey with rain over Melbourne before the race, revellers’ bright outfits brought the track back to life.
Morning showers began clearing by the afternoon as the crowds grew larger.
Bright colours were definitely a crowd favourite with block colour outfits in blues, pinks, and reds stealing the show.
British singer Robbie Williams opened the entertainment with hit songs including Angels and Let Me Entertain You, before capping off the party with a 75-minute trackside concert that ended in the evening.
Maher’s camp revealed after the race that while bloodstock manager Will Bourne usually jets around the world securing horses for the stable, it was the trainer’s own mother who had a key role in securing Point of Law.
Melbourne Cup attendees party in the golden hour
The Melbourne Cup’s winning horse, Point Of Law (above), was formerly owned and bred by King Charles
The Cup is the richest handicap horserace in the world with over $10million in prizemoney
This year’s Melbourne Cup featured the largest-ever prize pool
Punters and revellers gathered by the track on Tuesday afternoon
Bubbles trackside is one of the Cup’s enduring traditions
The horse, bred at the royal Stud in Sandringham, was bought from King Charles for a rumoured $4million.
Maher and his mother, Eileen, lunched with the King at Windsor Castle during the Royal Ascot carnival, in June, and made an offer to buy the horse.
The three-year-old colt is the son of Frankel – one of England’s most iconic and highly decorated racehorses – and Japanese mare Portfolio.
Maher was professionally connected to King Charles by training several of his horses but his mother had a more personal connection.
She’d written to King Charles and Queen Camilla to thank them for allowing her son to work with their horses and the royal couple wrote back.
‘When I said I was going to be travelling with my mother, they said ‘we would love to have your mother’,’ Maher told Forbes.
King Charles (pictured with Queen Camilla) agreed to sell the horse in August following a lunch with Australian trainer Ciaron Maher and his mother
Point Of Law (above) is believed to have been bought for between $3million and $4million
A chivalrous racegoer helps a woman with her heels
‘That was amazing. Mum’s first time overseas and sitting up next to King Charles for lunch at Windsor Castle, I was like ‘God’.’
While the trainer said ‘nothing really happened’ during the lunch, he upped his offer to buy Point Of Law on behalf of a syndicate of owners after he came fourth in the Queen’s Vase.
That owner syndicate includes several prominent names including TV personality Bec Judd and her retired AFL player husband Chris Judd.
Melbourne business leader Damien Degenhardt, another of Point Of Law’s owners, believes it was Maher’s mother’s personal connection with the royal couple that sealed the deal.
‘Ciaron’s mother had an affinity with the King and I believe she talked the King into selling us this horse,’ he said.
A non-disclosure agreement was signed as part of the deal to sell Point Of Law so the price has never been shared.
However, industry estimates believe the deal was worth between $3million and $4million.
Point Of Law, who’d run just four races when the deal was finalised in August, was brought to Victoria a short time later.
Light blues were a popular choice for the carnival
Attendees relax after long day’s racing at Flemington
Retired AFL star Chris Judd and wife Bec Judd are part of the syndicate that owns Point Of Law
The crowd was the biggest at the event since 2016 signalling a return to form for the race
Punters enjoying the day late in the afternoon
Partygoers enjoy the sunshine with another four days of the carnival to go
Bold pinks and reds were a trend this year
There was no shortage of gallantry on show amid the festivities
One racing fan takes a break from the excitement
Maher’s company, Ciaron Maher Racing, trained not only the three winning horses but also five of the first six to cross the line and six of the top ten.
Of the total $10.2million prize pool, Maher’s horses took home $6.83million.
Point Of Law’s jockey, Ethan Brown, thanked the syndicate owners for trusting him with the stallion.
‘This group of owners, they put their faith in me early,’ jockey Brown said following the race.
‘I’ve just got to pinch myself. They’ve spent a lot of money on this horse and for them to put me on him, it means the world to be able to execute and win the Melbourne Cup.’
