Trainer Joseph O’Brien pips his father Aidan to win second Melbourne Cup
Joseph O’Brien trumped his famous father Aidan again as the Irish trainers prepared another Melbourne Cup quinella, but he refused to gloat.
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Joseph O’Brien trumped his famous father Aidan again as the Irish trainers prepared another Melbourne Cup quinella at Flemington on Tuesday.
Twilight Payment gave Joseph his second win in Australia’s great race, beating his father’s stayer. Tiger Moth. This result mirrored the 2017 Cup finish when Joseph won with Rekindling defeating Johannes Vermeer.
But Joseph O’Brien wasn’t about to claim bragging rights over his father who is regarded as the world’s best racehorse trainer.
“When the horses are around the track they’re all doing their best,’’ Joseph said.
“Dad is delighted for me to have a winner as I’m delighted for him when he wins a big race.
“It’s very special to be able to compete in these bigger races, this year in particular.
“There was a time when we weren’t sure whether we were going to be able to have runners in the race. It’s very special.’’
An unbelievable performance from Twilight Payment who has won the Lexus #MelbourneCup.
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 3, 2020
Jye McNeil is now a Cup winner, what a star. âï¸ @FlemingtonVRC @RacingInsider pic.twitter.com/GMoXvNdRhG
Tiger Moth’s fast-finishing second completed a spring carnival of near-misses for Aidan as he also prepared the runner-up in the Caulfield Cup with Anthony Van Dyck and Cox Plate with Armory.
Aidan O’Brien has won nearly 400 Group 1 races around the world but the Melbourne Cup remains frustratingly elusive. He has two seconds and two third placings since he had his first runner in 2006 when Yeats ran unplaced.
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy’s bid for a record-equalling fourth Melbourne Cup felt agonisingly short with his second on Tiger Moth, beaten a long head.
McEvoy wasn’t about to make any excuses for the inexperienced Tiger Moth who was closing on Twilight Payment near the line.
Thank you so much for all the tweets. We can’t believe it! Thank you to Lloyd and @NCW717, @markepower and all the lads that have looked after the horses in Australia for the last six weeks and everyone here at home. Days like this are what we dream about. #twilightpayment pic.twitter.com/V0RG4Ki4g6
— Joseph O'Brien (@JosephOBrien2) November 3, 2020
“We were able to get across into a nice spot, we dropped in and he travelled really well,’’ McEvoy said.
“But the winner kept running, I just had to pick up to get into the race, which he did, but the winner was just a bit strong today. It was a great run for a young horse having only his fifth start in a race. He’s run really well.”
Prince Of Arran finished powerfully for third beaten a half length. It was the third successive minor placing for the English stayer who also ran third in 2018 before a second placing last year.
Jamie Kah, rider of Prince Of Arran, came so close to becoming the second female jockey after Michelle Payne (Prince Of Penzance, 2015) to ride a Melbourne Cup winner.
“He was super unlucky. He really deserves it,’’ Kah said. “He just had no luck on the turn.”
Trainer Charlie Fellowes said there is every chance Prince Of Arran will return for a fourth Melbourne Cup next year.
“He was behind a wall of horses at the wrong time and got out a bit too late,’’ Fellowes said. “He flew, he’s run a massive race again. He is an incredible horse.
“You can’t be gutted running third in the Melbourne Cup.
“I’m not gutted at all. I’m incredibly proud of him.
“It’s a remarkable performance from Joseph (O’Brien). He’s a wonderful trainer, he is a great guy, to win two Melbourne Cups, aged 27 is remarkable. He’d better not make a habit of this because other people want to win it as well. Hopefully we’ll be back again next year.”
Tiger Moth has already been installed as the $15 favourite to win the Melbourne Cup next year while Prince Of Arran and Twilight Payment are next at $18.
#There was further misfortune for the Aidan O’Brien stable with Anthony Van Dyck suffering a catastrophic fetlock injury near the home turn of the Melbourne Cup. Despite the best veterinary care, the stayer had to be humanely euthanized.
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Melbourne Cup 2020 finishing order
Originally published as Trainer Joseph O’Brien pips his father Aidan to win second Melbourne Cup