Rising Fast was a true champion. Bred in New Zealand, the Leicester R. Spring-owned galloper holds an amazing record.
Rising Fast is the only horse to have completed the Spring Grand Slam. The gelding won the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup treble in 1954. He even almost took the Cup again after winning the Caulfield Cup in 1955.
We’re taking a look at him and his Melbourne Cup achievements.
About Rising Fast
Rising Fast was foaled in New Zealand in 1949. He was bred by Frank and Bruce Robertson and was owned by Leicester R. Spring.
Over the course of his amazing racing career, he managed 68 racecourse starts. Of those, he won 24 times and was placed second or third another 18 times.
When converted and adjusted for inflation, Rising Fast’s career prize money comes to around $2.5 million which shows what level he was racing at.
Over his career Rising Fast was trained by both Ivan Tucker and Fred Hoysted. Leicester Spring’s colours were well known around New Zealand and the horse was quickly to become a star.
By the time he went to challenge for his first Melbourne Cup, Rising Fast was an experienced and hardened five-year-old. While known in New Zealand, his achievement of landing the Spring Grand Slam in Victoria put him on newspaper front pages.
He was made famous in Australia, New Zealand and in horse racing territories around the world.
Rising Fast’s Melbourne Cup Performances
Rising Fast’s two impressive Melbourne Cup performances came in the mid-50’s.
1954 Melbourne Cup
Rising Fast was a superstar by the time he got to the 1954 Melbourne Cup. The race took place on Tuesday, November 2.
Star jockey Jack Purtell was on board. The reason there was so much hullabaloo was that Rising Fast had won six races in a row. His previous two were in the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup, meaning a win at Flemington would make him the first horse to land the Grand Slam.
After a smooth run, the star swept by and landed the race by an easy two lengths from Hellion. Gay Helios was back in third.
1955 Melbourne Cup
In 1955, Rising Fast won the Caulfield Cup for a second time. Looking for a majorly impressive double-double, he was sent for another crack at the Melbourne Cup.
On a heavy track, Rising Fast had a burden of a weight to carry. He started will, but tired out only the last 200 metres and was overtaken by Toporoa. A gallant second, this run only enhanced his terrific reputation and ensured his place on the list of Melbourne Cup legends.
