Vauban to continue career in Australia for Australian Bloodstock, trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Vauban’s new owners Australian Bloodstock say they are ‘genuinely excited’ about what this year’s Melbourne Cup favourite can achieve under the guidance of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Irish stayer Vauban has been purchased by Australian Bloodstock and will continue his race career down under with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Vauban, who finished unplaced in successive Melbourne Cups when prepared by Willie Mullins, was sold for an undisclosed sum reported to be close to $2 million.

Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell, without peer when it comes to identifying and purchasing European staying talent including their Melbourne Cup winners Gold Trip (2022) and Protectionist (2014), joined forces with Waterhouse and Bott to keep Vauban in Australia.

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“We heard that Gai and Adrian were interested in Vauban, as we were, but we didn’t want to get into a bidding war with them,’’ Lovett said.

“So, we will race Vauban together and I’m genuinely excited by what this horse could achieve here.

“The beauty of Australian racing is you can win it (purchase price) back in one hit.’’

Vauban is rated one of Europe’s best stayers and Lovett is convinced the gelding can find his best form under Waterhouse and Bott when he acclimatises to Australian racing.

“I’m always forgiving of a horse that comes down here and doesn’t always perform off the plane as it’s not easy to do,’’ Lovett said.

“But Vauban is only a six-year-old on the ‘clock’ (northern hemisphere time), he’s had just 21 starts, is sound of limb, has plenty of racing ahead of him and our staying ranks are a bit depleted.

“The races he has been contesting in Europe is high quality form, they are the best staying races in the world, but he’s still only a Group 2 winner.’’

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— Australian Bloodstock (@Austbloodstock) November 13, 2024

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Lovett said Vauban could be aimed at races like the Tancred Stakes and Sydney Cup in autumn with the long-term goal to be aimed at another Melbourne Cup in spring.

Meanwhile, Australian Bloodstock has a strong representation at their “home track” for the Newcastle stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

Their familiar colours of royal blue, white horseshoe, black and white checked sleeves and cap will be on display in four races including two-year-old first-starter Rustemo in the opener, the Max Lees Classic (900m).

Australian Bloodstock also has Rogue Bear in the Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m), Herman Hesse in the Listed $300,000 The Beauford (2300m) and three runners in the closer, Spangler, Inver Park and Dream Hour in the Ausure Insurance Newcastle (1300m).

Originally published as Vauban to continue career in Australia for Australian Bloodstock, trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott