Danny O’Brien Racing announce Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare’s retirement following a stellar career

Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare has been retired following a lacklustre performance in Saturday’s Pakenham Cup.

Vow And Declare, ridden by Billy Egan, on the way to the barriers for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare has been retired following a lacklustre performance in Saturday’s Pakenham Cup.

Speculation regarding the nine-year-old veteran’s future ramped up in the aftermath of his last-placed finish on Saturday, with jockey Craig Williams easing the gelding down in the home straight.

Despite retirement rumours, managing owner Geoff Corrigan clarified on Sunday that a decision on the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner’s racing future hadn’t been made.

The superstar stayer’s ownership group and trainer Danny O’Brien confirmed Vow And Declare’s retirement on Monday in a statement released by Danny O’Brien Racing.

“Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare has been retired following a long and illustrious career,” the statement said.

“The decision to bring the curtain down on Vow And Declare’s racing career has been made today by his owners and trainer Danny O’Brien following what was his 50th and final race in last Saturday’s Pakenham Cup.”

That first Tuesday in November 2019 when Vow And Declare etched his name into Melbourne Cup history! 🧡

Just quietly how about the call from Matt Hill 👏@[e-mail]/WtpuS8cIh1

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 23, 2024

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Corrigan paid tribute to the gelding’s career, and is grateful that the Australian-bred stayer heads to retirement in good health.

“He has taken us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that we will be forever grateful for, but the highlight for me will be the fact that he is retiring 100% sound and will have a fabulous life post racing,” Corrigan said.

Vow And Declare’s 2019 Melbourne Cup triumph was a crowning moment for O’Brien as a trainer.

“Winning the Melbourne Cup is what we all aspire to do and it is a moment that I will cherish forever,” O’Brien said.

“Every year there are less and less in the Cup that have been bred here, which is why Cups like his, and this year’s as well, underline what is so great about the race and our industry.

“I am proud of the horse and the job my team has done with Vow (And Declare). To have him performing at the highest level as a three-year-old all the way through to winning in track record time this past winter in Queensland is a testament to their dedication and commitment.”

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Vow And Declare competed in four Melbourne Cups, finishing 18th (2020), 10th (2022) and 9th (2023) after his win in 2019.

A winner of six races from 50 starts, the son of Declaration Of War accumulated $7.7 million in prizemoney, also snaring wins in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2022) and Group 3 Tattersalls Cup (twice, 2019 and 2024).

“Racing fans will get the opportunity to farewell Vow And Declare at Geelong Racecourse, one of his home tracks, during the club’s stand-alone Saturday meeting on January 4,” the statement said.

Thanks for the memories Vow!https://t.co/K6tYajwE6m@Racing@FlemingtonVRC@RacingVictoria@GeelongRaceClub@Racing_QLD@7horseracing@heraldsunsport@SkyRacingAU@KitchwinHills@inglis_salespic.twitter.com/5Crb7SuIha

— Danny O'Brien (@DOBrienRacing) December 23, 2024

Originally published as Danny O’Brien Racing announce Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare’s retirement following a stellar career