After last year’s thrilling renewal, we are all eager to witness another spectacle at the 2024 Melbourne Cup, with more fireworks expected on its scheduled date of November 5th.
The race will attract some of the world’s most accomplished thoroughbred horses, and racing fans are particularly excited by the arrival of Ireland’s Jan Brueghel on Australian shores.
About Jan Brueghel
Even though Jan Brueghel is a young three-year-old, his early successes already speak for themselves, and he is poised to make history at this year’s Melbourne Cup. Having won the 2024 St Leger at Doncaster, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt could become the first UK Classic winner to win the legendary Melbourne Cup in the same season.
The jockey who will have the honour of piloting Jan Brueghel at the Flemington track is Ryan Moore - an experienced English rider who has already tasted Melbourne Cup glory, having lifted the prestigious trophy on board Protectionist back in 2014.
The Craze Among the Fans
Ever since Jan Brueghel and his team arrived in Australia, fans have been obsessing about their record-breaking potential. Racing enthusiasts have already reserved their tickets for the events, and many of them are also preparing to wager on their favourites.
The latest Melbourne Cup odds suggest plenty of support for the amazing Irish steed, who is vying for the favourite spot alongside Buckaroo and Via Sistina, and it will be exciting to see if these hopes come to fruition. With the team prepping for the big day, there’s plenty of motivation for all involved, not least the huge A$4.4 million prize.
Other Contestants that Show Potential
Although Jan Brueghel is currently receiving plenty of attention from racing pundits, there are other big names among the participants who could very well have a big say in proceedings:
- Vauban is an impressive racer who has proved his versatility to dominate across diverse racing spheres as a rare double Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot winner. After landing the 2022 Triumph Hurdle, Vauban switched to the flat and managed to win the Copper Horse Handicap at the royal meeting a year later. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old finished 14th at last year’s Melbourne Cup, but his current shape and previous successes make him one of the early market leaders.
- Circle of Fire was in stellar form earlier this year, giving him a strong performance record for the forthcoming event. This four-year-old colt finished in the first three in seven of his first eight races, a solid showing that included back-to-back wins in April, and if he can replicate that form then another frame finish is not out of the question.
- Absurde is another strong contender from the Willie Mullins conveyor belt, and is another to have tasted high-level success both on the Flat and over obstacles. He caught the attention of the masses by winning the Ebor Handicap under a signature Frankie Detorri ride at York in 2023, and then switched codes to land the County Handicap Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. He finished a creditable seventh of 23 in last year's Melbourne Cup and he arrives in good shape to improve upon that, having won the prestigious Chester Stakes last time out a couple of months ago.
The Appeal of the Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of the most anticipated events on the world’s horse racing calendar. This week-long spectacle takes place at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, with the action getting under way on November 2nd, and the big race day scheduled for it’s traditional spot on the first Tuesday in November, which falls on the 5th.
While there are many races to savour during the course of the festival, the ones that often steal the show are the Victoria Derby (Derby Day), the VRC Oaks (Oaks Day), the Mackinnon Stakes (Stakes Day), and of course, the jewel in the crown, the Melbourne Cup.
However, there will be plenty of other extra-curricular events to enjoy during the festivities, with several popular entertainers added to this year’s roster, including Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Anastasia.
Summing Up
With each passing day, the excitement in the horse racing world continues to build as the Melbourne Cup approaches, and Irish fans are particularly thrilled about the prospect of Jan Brueghel emerging victorious in 2024.
Many horse racing enthusiasts are convinced that this incredible colt is about to make history, and whatever the outcome, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is once again set to capture the imagination of spectators all over the world, just as it does every year.