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Subzero dead: Melbourne Cup-winning horse on par with Phar Lap, Winx, Makybe Diva

Greg Hall was an integral part of the Subzero story, partnering the grey to victory in the 1992 Melbourne Cup - and he ranks “Subbie” alongside the greatest horses in the history of Australian racing.

Stephen Brassel
6 min read
August 30, 2020 - 4:23PM
Sunday Herald Sun
Graham Salisbury and Subzero brought so much joy to many for more two decades.
Graham Salisbury and Subzero brought so much joy to many for more two decades.

Greg Hall was an integral part of the Subzero story, partnering the grey to victory in the 1992 Melbourne Cup, and like all of Australian racing he’s mourning the passing of the People’s Champion.

Twenty-eight years after that memorable victory and ‘Hally’ recalls how much that Cup meant to him, but more importantly what Subzero became after creating his piece of history.

“He was a freak the old bugger,” Hall said.

“When I heard the news I was numb, I got a phone call then my son Nicholas and a text asking did I know Subbie was gone, I went into meltdown.

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“We all knew his time would come but no matter how much you prepare for it you still don’t accept it easily, but obviously everything was managed very well as it always was with Subbie, he deserved that.

“I only checked how he was on Thursday and was told he’d lost a bit of weight but was still OK, then two days later he’s run his last race.

“But I always said he was like the Frank Sinatra song My Way, old Subbie did it his way until the end, he and Graham (Salisbury) were one, and now they are together again.”

Greg Hall and Subzero were the ones who stopped the nation back in 1992 and that was the start of the Subzero story which grew bigger and bigger as the legend grew.

“You dream of winning a Melbourne Cup and you wake up in the morning and the dream’s not true,” Hall said.

Greg Hall with Subzero. Picture: Jay Town
Greg Hall with Subzero. Picture: Jay Town

“I dreamed as a kid from the age of eight of winning the Melbourne Cup, to get a ride in it was one thing, then to win it meant more than anything in the world.

“You don’t realise it at the time but I look back now and it does change your life, it doesn’t matter where you go, you are a Melbourne Cup winning jockey but in the case of partnering with Subzero it was bigger than that.

“I can remember winning the Turnbull Stakes on Doriemus in 1996 and we were led back by Graham and Subbie when he was the clerk of the course’s horse, I leaned over and gave Subbie a rub, it’s still a special memory to me being led back in after a Group One by the two of them.

“There’s no denying Subbie was an Australian icon and he became that not because of his deeds in the Cup, but more what he did after winning the race.

“With great respect he wasn’t the best horse to win a Melbourne Cup and he’s not the best horse I ever rode, but he was my favourite horse, and what he did afterwards is what made him such a hero.

“The joy of what he did after that Melbourne Cup you can’t explain, he’s in the history books with Phar Lap, Makybe Diva as Cup winners and that can never be taken away, but he did more than either of those two champions, or for that matter even a horse like Winx.

“Subbie’s legend went a long way beyond racing and along with Graham the two of them did so much for so many people.

Greg Hall onboard Subzero in the 1992 Melburne Cup.
Greg Hall onboard Subzero in the 1992 Melburne Cup.

“What he did after racing was extraordinary, after his stint with Graham as clerk of the course I was lucky enough to travel with the two of them to hospitals and nursing homes, to see sick kids, disabled kids and old people and he always brought great joy to everyone.

“It’s hard to believe a horse could win a Melbourne Cup but be more famous for life after winning the race but that was the case with Subbie.

“He put so much back into the game and it’s incredible he won the Cup all those years back but he’s more famous now.

“He’s brought tears, smiles and happiness to so many people.

“It was an emotional day for me when Subbie died, apart from my relationship with the horse he also played a major part in the life of Nicholas (Greg’s son and now retired Group I winning rider).

“Nicholas told me he wanted to ride and the first horse he was legged aboard was Subzero, who was about 16 or 17 at the time.

“I took Nicholas up to Gerald Egan’s place at Mansfield and Graham legged him up. Nicholas started trotting Subbie around and the two of us looked at each other and agreed the kid was going to be a natural.

“I went on the road with Graham and Subbie and there would be young people who had never heard of Makybe Diva, a three-time Melbourne Cup winner, but they certainly knew of Subzero.

“He was a legend, the old boy.”

Vale Subzero: Reunited at last with his best mate

- Leo Schlink

Subzero, one of the most iconic figures in Australian racing, has died.

The 1992 Melbourne Cup winner passed away at Bendigo Equine Hospital at 2.38pm — exactly the same time his life-long carer Graham Salisbury died on June 20.

The hugely popular grey was 32.

Salisbury’s daughter Nicole was with the gelding when he took his last breath.

Graham Salisbury and the people’s champion, Subzero, were best mates. Picture: Zoe Phillips
Graham Salisbury and the people’s champion, Subzero, were best mates. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“He just went to sleep,” she said. “I was with him and it was very peaceful.

“He died at 2.38pm. The same time as dad did, on a Saturday as well. Technically, it was sudden onset (of) heart failure.”

A wonderful racehorse, Subzero was regarded as one of Australia’s greatest off-course servants with his regular — and uplifting — visits to palliative care units, schools and social functions.

The winner of the Adelaide Cup, the South Australian Derby and the race that stops a nation all in 1992, Subzero won six of 48 starts and more than $2 million in prizemoney.

Subzero won the 1992 Melbourne Cup on a heavy track at Flemington.
Subzero won the 1992 Melbourne Cup on a heavy track at Flemington.

He cut a poignant figure at Salisbury’s funeral at Bendigo race course in June when, led to the back of an open hearse, he nudged Salisbury’s coffin.

The Salisburys are believed to be keen to have Subzero’s ashes spread with those of Graham’s at Flemington.

Vet Dr Sarah Jalim said she was called to Heathcote about midday, where Subzero had suffered a sudden health deterioration

“As an older horse he had a heart murmur for a long time,” said Dr Jalim, a partner at Bendigo Equine Centre.

Subzero and Graham Salisbury visited hundreds of primary schools in Victoria.
Subzero and Graham Salisbury visited hundreds of primary schools in Victoria.

“He wasn’t distressed but he’d certainly developed irreversible signs of heart failure.

“(Anita and Nicole Salisbury) made the decision to put him to sleep before he got distressed.

“That’s always been very important, that we never wanted to prolong the end.

“Everyone loves him so much.”

Dr Jalim said for a thoroughbred horse to live to 32 was a testament to the care Subzero had received.

“I think it’s a very very sad moment because he’s done so much for so many people, that horse contributed a lot,” she said.

“I feel confident it was the right day and he didn’t go one single hour or day too late — it was a beautiful spring afternoon.”

She said Subzero’s achievements over the last few decades “say it all”.

“He was a phenomenal racehorse, he’s done so much,” Dr Jalim said.

“Now I think the time is right for him to rest in peace.”

Subzero visits Chelsea Heights Primary School in 2007.
Subzero visits Chelsea Heights Primary School in 2007.

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson said it was another incredibly sad day for all within the Victorian racing industry with the passing of everyone’s favourite horse.

“Subbie’s contribution to the sport on and off the track was incredible and thoroughbred racing will forever be indebted to a horse that touched the hearts of both racing fans and everyday Australians,” Thompson said.

“As a Melbourne Cup winner he became a household name, but it was his work in retirement that earned him legendary status.

“Subbie was racing’s most famous equine ambassador and we were privileged to have had him headline our ‘Subzero Goes to School’ program for many years travelling to every corner of the state and beyond.

“Many youngsters have grown up having only had the chance to meet and pat one horse. That horse was Subbie and the laughter that emanated from those kids when Subbie nodded his head to a question of whether he had a girlfriend is something that will live long with many of us.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/melbourne-cup-winner-subzero-dead-iconic-grey-racehorse-was-32/news-story/a373c4629f174a1920dcf684c8363368