Vow And Declare’s managing owner addresses retirement rumours

The managing owner of Vow And Declare has addressed speculation around the Melbourne Cup champion in the wake of his last-placing in Saturday’s Pakenham Cup.

Vow And Declare (right) wins the 2019 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Mark Evans / Getty Images

A decision on Vow And Declare’s racing future is yet to be made, despite speculation that the Melbourne Cup winner had been retired in the wake of his poor Pakenham Cup showing.

The Danny O’Brien-trained nine-year-old failed to beat a runner home at his 50th race start, with jockey Craig Williams easing down the veteran over the final 300m.

While Williams told stewards he felt something may have gone amiss with his mount, a post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

It was the gelding’s sixth unplaced effort in a row after he turned back the clock with victory in the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm back in June this year.

Responding to reports that Vow And Declare had been retired, managing owner Geoff Corrigan set the record straight via a social media post.

Three days before the 2020 Melbourne Cup and there’s hardly been a mention of last year’s winner, Vow and Declare, whose majority owners are Camden royalty - Sue and Geoff Corrigan. Racing journos and bookies have ignored the 2019 champ, but we haven’t, watch this space on Monday pic.twitter.com/vv0cPTB03H

— South West Voice (@SthWestVoice) October 30, 2020

“As the managing owner I can state categorically that no decision has been made about Vow And Declare’s future,” Corrigan stated.

“He vetted okay and this will be his final season. Danny O’Brien expected him to run top three yesterday.

“We owners have no desire to push him.

“When he retires, a proper announcement will be made and an opportunity for a visit to Flemington for a farewell will be organised.

“He will go to an equestrian career post-racing and will then be retired to Danny’s Barwon Heads property.”

Vow And Declare has earned $7.7 million in prizemoney, with his 2019 Melbourne Cup victory his obvious crowning glory.

Vow And Declare appreciation post 🧡

🏆 2019 Melbourne Cup winner
4️⃣ 4x Melbourne Cup runner
🥈 Runner-up in the 2019 Queensland Derby and Caulfield Cup
💰 $7,263,920 won in prizemoney
🥇 2022 Zipping Classic [e-mail]/l6vFG4ZqKg

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 29, 2023

That 2019/2020 season also saw the son of Declaration Of War finish second in the Caulfield Cup behind Mer De Glace and third in the Australian Cup.

Vow And Declare has competed in four Melbourne Cups in total, finishing 18th (2020), 10th (2022) and 9th (2023) subsequent to his win.

Originally published as Vow And Declare’s managing owner addresses retirement rumours