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| Staff Writer |
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Vauban is setting his sights on Melbourne Cup glory after a sterling performance in Sunday's Gr.1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh. The Willie Mullins-trained 5YO put in a fighting second to one of the world's top stayers, finishing just 2-¼ lengths behind the winner in what many are hailing as an excellent trial for Australia's most famous race.
The son of Galiway was giving his all in pursuit of the imperious Kyprios, trained by Aidan O'Brien. The winner, already a multiple Group One winner including last year's Ascot Gold Cup, once again demonstrated his class over the 1m6f trip. O'Brien, speaking after the race, hinted at lofty targets for Kyprios, saying, "We're thinking about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for him next month. He's got plenty of options."
While Kyprios may be Paris-bound, Vauban's connections are firmly focused on a trip Down Under. The gelding is now expected to enter quarantine in the coming weeks as preparations begin in earnest for his journey to Melbourne. Mullins, Ireland's perennial champion National Hunt trainer, has long harboured ambitions of winning 'the race that stops a nation', and in Vauban, he may have found his best chance yet.
The Irish St Leger has proven a fertile hunting ground for Melbourne Cup contenders in years past. Most famously, Vintage Crop completed the Irish St Leger-Melbourne Cup double in 1993, becoming the first Northern Hemisphere-trained horse to win Australia's greatest race. More recently, Twilight Payment used a third-place finish in the 2020 Irish St Leger as a springboard to Melbourne Cup success later that year.
Other notable winners of the Irish Classic who went on to make their mark in Melbourne include Mustajeer, who won the 2019 Ebor Handicap before finishing sixth in that year's Melbourne Cup, and Order Of St George, a dual Irish St Leger winner who was narrowly denied in the 2016 Melbourne Cup.
Vauban's second-place finish in the Irish St Leger marks a significant step up in class for the gelding, who had previously made his name over hurdles. His versatility was on full display earlier this summer when he won the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, beating a high-class field of Flat stayers.
Mullins, reflecting on Vauban's performance, said, "We're delighted with that run. He's shown he can mix it with the very best on the Flat, and that bodes well for Melbourne. The Cup has been the plan for a while now, and this performance only strengthens our resolve."
As Vauban prepares for his journey to the other side of the world, racing fans will be eagerly anticipating his arrival at Flemington. With his blend of speed and stamina, coupled with the masterful handling of Willie Mullins, the stage could be set for another famous Irish victory in the Melbourne Cup, a race worth approximately US$5.3 million to the winner.
The countdown to the first Tuesday in November begins in earnest, with Vauban now firmly established as one of the leading international contenders for Australia's greatest race.