Archer’s name is synonymous with the Melbourne Cup. The great horse was the first winner of the Cup, in fact, he was the winner of the first two Melbourne Cups in 1861 and 1862.
A stylish and easy winner of both races, he remains one of only five horses to have won the Cup two or more times. Only he and three others have won the Cup in successive years.
We’re taking a closer look at Archer, as well as his great Melbourne Cup moments.
About Archer
Archer was a bay colt when foaled in 1856.
In 1860, he was bought and then trained by Etienne de Mestre. The trainer went on to win five Melbourne Cups in total, two of them with Archer.
Considered to be large for a three-year-old, Archer was often lame. His career could easily have been over very quickly. He ran below-par in his first two runs at Randwick too, both in May 1860. In 1861 however he went unbeaten in seven races in New South Wales.
His reputation meant he was considered to have a decent chance in the inaugural Melbourne Cup in November 1861. After winning that, and the second one by an aggregate of 14 lengths, his place as a legend was secure.
Archer finished his racing career with a record of having run in 17 races, winning 12 times and finishing third once. He remains a name many racing fans are fully aware of.
Archer’s Melbourne Cup Performances
Archer was a phenomenon on the Melbourne Cup, winning the race in both if its first two years in existence.
1861 Melbourne Cup
The first Melbourne Cup was run on November 7, 1861. After four scratches, 17 went to post including 6/1 shot Archer. In front of 4000 people, Archer swept by the field to score easily from 3/1 shot Mormon, and 20/1 chance Prince.
The six-length win was impressive, but somehow there was even better to come.
1862 Melbourne Cup
Having won it twelve months earlier, this time Archer was a low as 2/1 in the market. He went up against 19 rivals with his connections confident of a repeat victory. Indeed, he did win again.
What is forgotten by many however is that poor old Mormon was second to him again. But for Archer, Mormon would be talked about as the first dual winner of the race.
This time, Archer won by a massive eight lengths. Both the back-to-back wins, and the eight-length winning margin, were not to be repeated for over 100 years when Rain Lover came along.
