Vintage Crop was a top stayer. Bred in England and trained in Ireland, he became the famous in 1993 for being the first Northern Hemisphere horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
His success is important for having paved the way for other overseas horses in Melbourne. Since 1993, many others have tried, and a number have succeeded, in winning the Melbourne Cup.
Check out more about Vintage Crop, and review his important Cup win.
About Vintage Crop
Vintage Crop was foaled on March 1st, 1987. He was owned by Dr Michael Smurfit who sent him to Ireland to be trained by the great Dermot Weld.
A stylish-looking chestnut, Vintage Crop was known for his versatility. He was campaigned on the Flat and over jumps in England and Ireland regularly. He won 16 races in all, later being named as Cartier’s Stayer of the Year in 1993.
’93 in fact was the year that defined this horse. A major reason for his award was his Melbourne Cup win, one that made him the first foreigner and first Northern Hemisphere horse to win the race, ever. There is a statue commemorating him at the Curragh Racecourse near Dublin.
Vintage Crop did come back to Australia in repeat attempts at Flemington. He managed seventh in the 1994 Melbourne Cup, and a fine third in the 1995 renewal.
Dermot Weld, the breakthrough trainer, did eventually manage one more Melbourne Cup win himself. Weld was responsible for training Media Puzzle, the 2002 Cup winner.
A special horse indeed, Vintage Crop is remembered fondly in Britain, Ireland and Australia. He won important races of various types in all three racing territories.
Vintage Crop’s Melbourne Cup Win
In 1993, Vintage Crop was given a chance to return to hurdles. He even managed to finish sixth in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
After winning the Curragh Cup, a Listed race, Vintage Crop was placed in two more events before heading to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He was sixth there, before being sent for a second crack at the Irish St Leger in September.
Under Mick Kinane, he won the Irish St Leger well by 2½ lengths. A plan was formed to send him off to Australia to try and become the first overseas runner to win the Melbourne Cup.
Mick Kinane kept the ride in Melbourne. At the top of his game, Kinane was superb. He coaxed a strong late run from Vintage Crop to sweep by and win by an ever-increasing three lengths. His run made history and encouraged other European trainers to take the cost and head to Melbourne themselves.
