Though many people know Kiwi trainer Chris Waller because of his association with incredible mare Winx, he is also a Melbourne Cup winner.
We’re going through Waller’s background, his achievements and his Melbourne Cup record.
About Chris Waller
Chris Waller was born in Foxton, New Zealand, in 1974. He grew up on a dairy farm and became interested in horse racing when watching Melbourne Cup winner Kiwi among others.
Waller went to work for trainer Paddy Busuttin in Foxton. After progressing to stable foreman, he began training on his own when Busuttin moved to Singapore. His first winner was in 1997.
The time had come to move to Australia for Waller. He managed to get 20 boxes at Rosehill, training there from 2000 onwards. Building his reputation, his string increased and his first Group 1 winner eventually came via Triple Honour in the Doncaster Mile.
Moving into Gold Coast, Warwick Farm and Flemington, Waller kept growing his concern. In April 2021 he brought up the 125-mark for Group 1 wins, while in November that year he won his first Melbourne Cup.
Among Waller’s multiple Group 1 wins are 4 Australian Oaks, 2 Caulfield Cups and 2 All Aged Stakes. He has also won no fewer than 10 Chipping Norton Stakes.
As well as these, Waller has saddled 5 Coolmore Stud winners and 6 Doncaster Mile champs. Other multiple Group 1 wins include; George Ryder Stakes x 7, Metropolitan x 5 and the Sydney Cup x 5.
Melbourne Cup Achievements
Though starting to look dominant in many divisions at the top end of the sport, up to 2021 Chris Waller hadn’t won the Melbourne Cup. That all changed when his star mare, Verry Elleegant, stepped up in distance with style.
Verry Elleegant won the Melbourne Cup in 2021 by an impressive four lengths from Incentivise.
It seems certain that Waller will win the Cup again at some point.
Chris Waller’s Melbourne Cup Record
It is notoriously hard to win the Melbourne Cup. For a trainer, they need to be provided with the right horses. From there, they need to be as lucky as they are good.
Waller is now a Melbourne Cup winner, but as you’ll see from his record since 2017, it’s a tough journey:
- 2022 – No runners.
- 2021 – VERRY ELLEEGANT 1st, Selino 8th, Great House 13th, Ocean Billy 23rd.
- 2020 – Verry Elleegant 7th, Finche 9th.
- 2019 – Finche 7th, Youngstar 20th.
- 2018 – Finche 4th, Youngstar 6th, Who Shot Thebarman 17th.
- 2017 – Libran 8th.
Waller has saddled Melbourne Cup favourites. His prowess is not in doubt and many punters will latch onto more of his runners in this race in future.
