Four Chances to Make Cup History
Two wins. Eight years apart. And now four runners lining up on the first Tuesday in November. Australian Bloodstock is not just at the Melbourne Cup - they are a permanent part of its story.
This is Part Three of Australian Bloodstock's Melbourne Cup history series. If you missed the earlier chapters, Part One traces the Races great history and origins - then Part Two briefly touched on Australia Bloodstocks own place in history with their two triumphs he unforgettable demolition job in the 2014 triumph with Protectionist as well as the golden moment in 2022 when Gold Trip crossed the line first and reminded the racing world exactly what Australian Bloodstock is capable of. Together, those two pieces set the scene for what is shaping as another year where Australias most popular and successful syndicate will again have 4 runners in the race that stops a nation
Four runners. One race. Tuesday 3 November 2026. Defiantly, Royal Supremacy, Wine Dark Sea and Vauban will all carry Australian Bloodstock colours into the greatest staying race on the planet. That is not a footnote. That is a statement. Getting one horse to the Melbourne Cup is a challenge. Getting four there in the same year, all fit, all prepared and all genuine chances, is the kind of thing that separates the serious players from everyone else. Australian Bloodstock has earned the right to stand in that elite company.
Lets have a look at the runners with the first one off the rank in the mighty Vauban.
Vauban is a chestnut gelding, foaled in 2018, bred in France and sired by Galiway. He came to the world's attention in Europe, winning the Irish St Leger at Group 1 level and proving himself good enough to line up in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, one of jump racing's most prestigious contests. He also won at Cheltenham, a track that sorts out the genuine article from the pretenders quickly. His career earnings have surpassed A$2.4 million. That is a number earned on racetracks, in the hardest company, over years of consistent performance.
For a long stretch of his career, Vauban was trained by Willie Mullins, one of the most decorated trainers in the history of the sport. That association alone tells you something about the horse's quality. You do not end up in a Willie Mullins stable by accident. You end up there because you belong there.
But now Vauban is in Australian hands, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. That is a partnership that carries its own weight in this country. Gai Waterhouse is Australian racing royalty, full stop. Adrian Bott brings a calm, methodical precision to everything he does alongside her. Together, they have the experience, the instinct and the horsemanship to get the best out of a horse like this. Vauban ran in the Geelong Cup on 21 October 2026 as his preparation for the big day where under a big weight he ran a respectable effort as his main lead up for what will be his fourth attempt. The clock is ticking toward Flemington and he arrives there in the care of the best.
What makes Vauban's story genuinely remarkable is the streak he is on. The 2026 Melbourne Cup will be his fourth consecutive start in the race. Four years in a row. Stop and sit with that for a moment, because it is rarer than most people realise. The Melbourne Cup field attracts horses from all over the world, and the attrition rate is brutal. Injury, form, eligibility, travel, the demands of the race itself, all of it conspires to knock horses out of the equation. To keep coming back, year after year, fit and ready and competitive, is an achievement that deserves genuine respect.
This is a horse with a history at this race. He knows the occasion. He has felt the spring heat at Flemington, heard the crowd, handled the distance. That experience is not nothing. If anything, it is one of the most underrated advantages a Cup contender can carry into the barriers.
Maybe a win is beyond him as he gets on in age- but one thing is certain- he will give his all and if the race falls the right way for his preferred style he can upset a lot of the fancied runners
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Defiantly. Royal Supremacy. Wine Dark Sea. Vauban.
Each one represents a genuine chapter in this syndicate's ongoing story. Each one has earned its place in the field. And each one carries with it the hopes of everyone who has been part of the Australian Bloodstock journey, from the very beginning right through to today. Definately arrives as one of the long time favourites - will stay all day and is on the upward curve. Royal Supremacy- on trust at the trip but with such a huge pot and in good form prior to the Caulfield Cup- his owners are justified in running and finally Wine Dark Sea- the horse with the most upside but possible a year too early ?
The first Tuesday in November has a way of delivering moments that people remember for the rest of their lives. Australian Bloodstock has already given racing fans two of those moments. The 2026 Melbourne Cup is the chance to write the next one.
Four runners. One goal. And a syndicate that knows exactly what it feels like to win.
