2019 Melbourne Cup: Vow And Declare

The 2019 Melbourne Cup was a race that many expected to be dominated by international competitors. With a strong contingent of overseas imports, the Australian hope seemed faint. Yet, in a turn of events that electrified the nation, Vow And Declare, a horse bred, owned, and trained on home soil, surged past the finish line to claim victory. This triumph became a symbol of local resilience and hope.

Vow And Declare, ridden by jockey Craig Williams, became an underdog story. For breeder and part-owner Paul Lanskey, the journey to this historic moment began over a decade earlier in 2008, when he purchased a chestnut mare named Geblitzt. While Geblitzt enjoyed success as a sprinter, Lanskey, envisioning greater achievements, decided to take a different approach with her progeny. Mating her first with Group 1-winning stallion Star Witness, Lanskey produced Lycurgus, a horse that performed admirably on the track. However, seeking a stronger staying influence for Geblitzt’s next foal, he chose the Coolmore stallion Declaration Of War, a decision that led to the birth of Vow And Declare.

The rangy chestnut colt, overlooked at the 2017 Inglis Classic Sale and initially passed in for $45,000, would go on to exceed all expectations. The Melbourne Cup victory was the culmination of a year-long campaign marked by impressive performances, including the Queensland Derby and the Tatts Cup. By the time Cup Day arrived, the horse had positioned himself as a genuine contender, though few could have predicted the drama
that would unfold.

The race was a thrilling spectacle, in a finish that saw less than half a length separating the top four runners. The postrace drama only added to the excitement, with Frankie Dettori’s mount Master Of Reality being demoted from second to fourth following a protest, solidifying Vow And Declare’s place in history and handing maiden Melbourne Cup victories to both jockey Craig Williams and trainer Danny O’Brien.

For Williams, the victory was particularly sweet, coming after 14 attempts at winning the coveted Cup. He had come close in the past, most notably in 2011, when he was to ride the eventual winner Dunaden, only to be suspended before Cup Day. The disappointment of that missed opportunity made his triumph aboard Vow And Declare all the more special.

“It was a privilege to ride him today,” an emotional Williams said after the race. “We had a difficult barrier draw, but we trusted him. We knew what he could do. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity… I will really enjoy this.”

Trainer Danny O’Brien was equally elated. “I really can’t believe it,” he said.

“I feel incredibly blessed to have a horse good enough to be in it and then for him to be ridden so beautifully by Craig. The last hundred metres he wouldn’t give in and put his head out on the line, and now we have won the Melbourne Cup.”

The story of Vow And Declare did not end with his Melbourne Cup victory. In the years that followed, he continued to demonstrate his staying power, featuring in the iconic race three more times in 2020, 2022, and 2023. In June 2024, he added another chapter to his legacy by winning the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm for the second time, five years after his first victory in the same race.

This win was especially impressive given that it marked only his second victory since the 2019 Melbourne Cup, a testament to his resilience after overcoming a serious tendon injury that nearly ended his career.

As a nine-year-old, Vow And Declare may be unlikely to contest another Melbourne Cup, but his place in Australian racing history is secure. His journey from a modest sale ring to the pinnacle of racing success remains an inspiring tale, one that continues to bring immense joy to his connections and racing fans alike