9 Oct 2010
It's been all around the world but today the iconic Melbourne Cup touched down in the town of Cambridge as part of its 220-day world tour. Appropriately, the Cup made a pit-stop at Cambridge Stud, home to champion stallion Zabeel, who has emulated his own famous sire, Sir Tristram, in producing three Melbourne Cup winners each.
Although now 24 year old Zabeel still looks the champion sire he is and impressed the visitors who included the first female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup, New Zealand's Sheila Laxon (Ethereal, 2001), former champion Australian jockey and twice winner of the iconic Cup, John Letts (Piping Lane, 1972 and Beldale Ball, 1980), Victoria Racing Club CEO Dale Monteith, Racing Minister John Carter and Waipa Mayor Alan Livingstone.
This year is the 150th running of the famous race which rewards the winner with a coveted trophy worth more than $150,000.
Over the last 30 years Cambridge Stud stallions have sired eight Melbourne Cup winners:
1982 GURNERS LANE (Sir Tristram)
1988 EMPIRE ROSE (Sir Tristram)
1997 MIGHT AND POWER (Zabeel)
1998 1st JEZABEEL 2nd CHAMPAGNE (both by Zabeel)
2000 BREW (Sir Tristram)
2001 ETHEREAL (Rhythm)
2007 EFFICIENT (Zabeel)
Also
1976 VAN DER HUM (Hermes - Stood at Fencourt Stud)
