The winning horse in this year’s Melbourne Cup is recuperating in Mount Macedon before he is returned to Ireland.
Rekindling and the cup’s runner-up Johannes Vermeer are both part-owned by Lloyd Williams, whose Australian horse facility is Macedon Lodge, in Mount Macedon.
Mr Williams’ success of taking out both first and second in the prestigious race has made him the first horse owner to quinella the race in 157 years.
Mr Williams told reporters all he could think when his horses were going head to head was “I wish the post would come up quickly”.
Another of William’s horses –Almandin – claimed the Melbourne Cup last year.
Williams has now taken out six Melbourne Cups (in 1981, 1985, 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2017).
The 77-year-old said he has a long-time love of the iconic race.
“Why do I like it? I’m a Melburnian. I first saw a Melbourne Cup when I snuck into a hotel after school at the age of eight and that’s when it made such an impact on me.”
Although Williams has a state-of-the art horse facility in Macedon Ranges, he also buys European horses and has them trained overseas.
It seems Macedon Lodge now acts as a holiday retreat for the horses.
Celebrating his success last Tuesday, Williams said the triumphant horse, and the runner-up, were headed to his Mount Macedon property to “enjoy some lovely green grass” .
Williams said Rekindling would then return home to Ireland to compete in other races, such as the Ascot Gold Cup.
– with The Age
