The sun has set on the European leg of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. While Australia was sleeping, talented stayer Mustajeer claimed victory in the time-honoured AUD$1.79 million Ebor Handicap at York Racecourse. The current Irish-trained gelding is now on his way to 'the race that stops a nation™'.
The Ebor has built a reputation as an important international pathway to the AUD$8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup and Mustajeer will follow in the footsteps of past Ebor Handicap winners including Heartbreak City, Nakeeta and Muntahaa.
The winning connections have secured their ticket to Melbourne thanks to an exciting new initiative between the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and York Racecourse which will see them receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience for two to the Melbourne Cup Carnival including business class flights, accommodation and money-can't-buy invitations to special events during Cup Week.
"It's an unbelievable thrill and we're delighted to be a part of it. I can't wait to go!" owner David Spratt said.
Australian Bloodstock recently bought into the six-year-old and have experienced Cup success before with Protectionist.
"They fully believe in the horse and they have seen the exact same things we're seeing and fair play to them, they're good people that do their homework and understand their racing and I am delighted for them," Mr Spratt said.
"We love this horse so much. We really believe that this horse is a proper horse and we have a real shot on the big day."
The Ebor Handicap caps off an epic week of racing in York as part of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, which began with a thrilling contest between Japan and Crystal Ocean in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
The festival's crescendo came when the world's most admired racehorse Enable asserted her authority for the last time on British turf in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Not to be outdone, Stradivarius secured The Lonsdale Cup on Friday, completing the Lonsdale Cup, Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup combination for the second year in a row. And from stayers to sprinters, the brilliant Battaash smashed the 30 year old 1000 metre track record in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
The week long journey of the Cup has taken in the sights of the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, bestowed its magic on the Australian Men's Cricket team before their 3rd Ashes Test against England, hitched a ride onboard the HMS Endeavour replica and took in the spectacular sights of the city of York.
During its tour the iconic trophy also caught up with some of the some of the biggest names in racing, including champion jockey and international superstar Frankie Dettori, legendary trainers including John Gosden OBE, Aiden O'Brien, Hughie Morrison and trainer of last year's second runner-up Charlie Fellowes, who declared his intention to compete once again in this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup with Prince of Arran following his fourth placing in the Ebor Handicap.
VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott said it had been a hugely successful leg of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.
"The way that the Cup has been received has warmed our hearts, it's been fabulous," Mrs Elliott said.
"It's this unbelievable magic of the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We know what that means in Australia, we know it stops the nation, we know that people drive thousands of miles to see it when it's on tour. What does surprise us is that the same feeling exists in people who live on the other side of the world. It is a wonderful thing.
"The relationship with York Racecourse is one we really value and I believe the Ebor Handicap going to £1 million has further enhanced a great staying race," she said.
"It's the best edition of the Ebor I've ever seen and the connection between the Lexus Melbourne Cup and runners of this great race is very exciting.
"I would like to express my gratitude to Lord Grimthorpe, William Derby and their team for their support of the Tour and congratulate them on a spectacular Ebor festival."
The Cup will now head to Singapore on Tour before crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, where it will visit Matamata, Wellington and Otago.
Since its beginning, the Tour has travelled more than 600,000 kilometres and visited more than 450 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations. It provides communities an important opportunity not just to experience the magic of the Cup and hear the many stories connected with Australia's greatest horse-race, but also to raise much needed funds for local causes.
For further information about the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour please visit melbournecuptour.com.au.
