Part-owner Gary Cunningham opens up about Melbourne Cup chance Mostly Cloudy

An encounter in an office on the Gold Coast seven years ago put Gary Cunningham and wife Lorilie on a path that has led to the Melbourne Cup. The part-owners of Mostly Cloudy open up about featuring in Australia’s biggest race here.

Mostly Cloudy (IRE) on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Lexus Roy Higgins at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: George Sal/Getty Images.

Gary Cunningham and wife Lorilie stand on the cusp of a dream Melbourne Cup win seven years after walking into the Magic Millions sales complex to ask how they go about buying their first horse.

The Main Beach residents are part-owners of $81 outsider Mostly Cloudy who will jump from barrier 16 in the 3200m race with jockey Karis Teetan in the saddle.

The Cunningham’s have been on an incredible trajectory since getting into horse ownership in 2017 and 2024 has been the most successful yet.

They won this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Storm Boy and backed it up by winning the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with Stefi Magnetica in June.

Now they will be trackside to cheer on their Irish stayer Mostly Cloudy on the biggest day of Australia’s racing calendar.

Lorilie and Gary Cunningham are part-owners of Melbourne Cup runner Mostly Cloudy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I’ve been to the Melbourne Cup quite a few times but I have never had a horse in the race so this will be a unique experience for us as a family,” Gary Cunningham, 67, said.

“We’re very excited. I remember as a little kid at school being involved in the sweeps and the race being broadcast.

“It was such a thrill and never in my imagination did I think I’d be able to have one in the race.”

It was 2017 when the Cunningham’s walked into the offices at the Magic Millions sales complex to ask how they go about buying into their first horse.

They were met by then Magic Millions bloodstock manager Clint Donovan who put them on a path that has landed on one of racing’s biggest stages.

“Clint was very kind to us. I had a good knowledge of racing but we had never bought a horse before,” Cunningham said.

“Clint took the time to explain the process, was very astute and respectful. As a result of him being there that day we bit the bullet and bought a horse. It’s been a steep learning curve for us but we have been very lucky.”

Mostly Cloudy (IRE) on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Lexus Roy Higgins at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: George Sal/Getty Images.

Cunningham sold his US-based physiotherapy business and has since launched Cunningham Thoroughbreds and started a breeding arm through Ridgmont Farm in NSW’s Hunter Valley.

Their racing pursuits started the same year former Gold Coast Suns media manager Steve Wilson won the Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance in 2017 while at 100-1 odds and Cunningham wants to join the list of Glitter Strip winners.

“He has won over 2 miles in Europe before and can certainly run the distance,” Cunningham said.

“He probably just lacks the class of the top tier horses, particularly the ones from Europe.

“A number of horses will struggle to get to the 3200m distance under pressure. He hasn’t got a great turn of foot and is a genuine stayer so if it is a sit and then sprint race he won’t be able to go with them.

“It’s most likely he will take off early and have a crack from a fair way out.”