The history of Britain's journey to its first Melbourne Cup victory
Cross Counter's victory in the Melbourne Cup was the first ever for a British-trained horse. Below we list the Irish successes, the near misses and the trials and tribulations of Britain and Ireland's involvement in Australia's most famous race.
1993: Drum Taps is the first Melbourne Cup runner trained in Britain, but finishes ninth as Dermot Weld trains the first winner of the race for Ireland with Vintage Crop.
1999: The Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Central Park nearly creates history but the 50-1 shot is beaten by half a length.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inAustralia
Last updated
- Where is our A$464,000? Melbourne Cup-winning trainers still waiting for payout after prize-money goes in wrong account
- Rebel Racing’s Phil Cunningham pays an auction record price of A$2.8 million at Australia's Magic Millions sale
- Man arrested after 65 firefighters and 16 fire engines attend Caulfield racecourse blaze
- 71-year-old Australian jockey who rode his first winner in 1969 enjoys a fairytale success on final mount
- 'The Melbourne Cup is the goal' - Vauban to stay in Australia after Rich Ricci sells star for A$2 million
- Where is our A$464,000? Melbourne Cup-winning trainers still waiting for payout after prize-money goes in wrong account
- Rebel Racing’s Phil Cunningham pays an auction record price of A$2.8 million at Australia's Magic Millions sale
- Man arrested after 65 firefighters and 16 fire engines attend Caulfield racecourse blaze
- 71-year-old Australian jockey who rode his first winner in 1969 enjoys a fairytale success on final mount
- 'The Melbourne Cup is the goal' - Vauban to stay in Australia after Rich Ricci sells star for A$2 million