This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
On November 5, 2019, the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup took place in Melbourne, with Vow And Declare emerging as the winner. The 3,200m race saw Vow And Declare, ridden by Craig Williams, narrowly prevail by a small head.
Trained by Danny O'Brien, Vow And Declare is the son of Declaration of War and Geblitzt. The victory marked a significant achievement for the horse and its connections, who are now considering a potential trip to Royal Ascot.
However, the win was not without controversy. Stewards objected to interference caused by Master Of Reality, ridden by Frankie Dettori, which led to a re-evaluation of the race results. Master Of Reality was initially placed second but was subsequently demoted to fourth, while Prince Of Arran was promoted to second.
Frankie Dettori was given a nine-meeting suspension and a $20,000 fine for careless riding. He disputed the decision, claiming the interference was minimal.
Meanwhile, jockey Michael Walker was handed a seven-meeting ban and a $10,000 fine for excessive use of his whip on Prince of Arran.
Animal rights activists also made their presence known, highlighting concerns about the treatment of horses in racing. The incident involving Michael Walker's whip use sparked particular outrage.
Other notable performances in the race included Finche, who finished seventh, and Constantinople, who struggled to find his footing and ultimately lost his momentum.
Despite the controversy, the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup will be remembered for Vow And Declare's thrilling victory.
