Most successful Melbourne Cup trainers over last 20 years
When there is any discussion about horse racing trainers and Melbourne Cups then there is only one name that comes to mind and that is J.B.(“Bart”) Cummings who finished his career with an unprecedented twelve Cup victories beginning with his bonny little chestnut mare in Light Fingers (1965) and his final win came when Blake Shinn steered Viewed (2008) home in one of the closest Melbourne Cup wins in history.
With the loss of Bart earlier this century the question is who will be a likely candidate to one day take over the mantle as the next successful Melbourne Cup trainers. The only current trainer within sight of Bart is D.L.(“Lee”) Freedman who has trained a remarkable five Melbourne Cup winners and may still have time to take some ground off the Cups King.
Since the turn of the century when Dermot Weld trained Media Puzzle to a famous victory in 2022 the International trainers have shown the world that a horse can come to Australia and win our greatest race.
Katsuhiko Sumii won for Japan with Delta Blues (2006), Alain de Royer-Dupre’ won for the French when Americain (2010) saluted while Mikel Delzangles won with Dunaden (2011).
The German raider Protectionist (2014) won for Germany under the guidance of Andreas Wohler before the blue-blood Irish born Joseph O’Brien claimed and historic victory before his famous father winning with Rekindling (2017) and backing that up with Twilight Payment (2020). In between the English trained Cross Current (2018) won for Charlie Appleby.
Of the homebred trainers in recent times, Robert Hickmott has won two for Lloyd Williams in Green Moon (2012) and Almandin (2016).
Gai Waterhouse finally broke her Melbourne Cup maiden when Fiorente (2013) won and she looks to have a nice hand in 2022 with a couple of imports in Hoo Ya Mal and Knights Order high up in the betting to give her another victory.
The Cummings name may also continue with another generation in Edward and James Cummings trying to emulate their Great Grandfather Jim (Comic Court) and Grandfather Bart in winning the Melbourne Cup. Edward has his chance with Duais while James will saddle up Alegron for Godolphin.
Chris Waller had won everything in Australian racing except a Melbourne Cup but that all changed when his Champion mare Verry Elleegant powered away over last 200m here last season. He has Durston aiming to win the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double.