I am incredibly proud of Prince Of Arran, he ran another fantastic race

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I never thought I was going to win
It was totally different to last year – I really felt at one stage 12 months ago we were going to win the race. But this year I never ever felt, despite how close we were, that it was ours. I always knew we were just held by Master Of Reality and Vow And Declare. It probably wasn’t until right on the line I realised how close we actually were. I am incredibly proud of him for running another fantastic race. 

It was a very strong renewal with a lot of strength and depth. They went a very steady gallop and turned it into a bit of sprint which meant those on the pace were massively at an advantage. But the way it was run really suited Prince Of Arran – he is such a relaxed, easy to ride sort of horse which means that he really can sit wherever you want, whereas if you have a horse that gets a bit lit up they have to get some cover, so although we were fortunate with the way the race was run, we earned that fortune and luck with his versatility and the way he runs his races. 

Michael Walker’s ride was just perfect. I said after the Geelong Cup that was his best ride he’s ever given him, but although we didn’t win, I think Tuesday’s was just as good. He had him in such a good position the whole way through and he couldn’t have ridden it any better. 

The bottom line is that everything went our way, the race played into our hands and we just weren’t good enough on the day. But he ran his heart out and there really is nothing more you can ask from a horse. We only got beaten a head, so we can’t come away complaining, questioning what could have been, as everything went our way. I’m not even just talking about Tuesday either, really since Goodwood we could not have had a more perfect preparation into the race. I have said that all along nothing went wrong. I was just waiting for something, even small, to go amiss but it hasn’t. We have been so, so lucky and I don’t underestimate how fortunate we have been with him.

The result was exactly what the race needed

Although obviously I would have loved to have taken the Cup back to Newmarket, I think the result was very, very important for Australia. There were a few people in the race that I thought I wouldn’t have minded losing to — like Joseph O’Brien, he’s won the race before, but he really is the most lovely guy and I wouldn’t have minded being beaten by him. But you also have to put Vow And Declare in that bracket because it was a lovely story. It’s the perfect Australian story: Australian-trained, Australian-bred – just the right sort of horse you would want to win the ultimate Australian race. 

You got the feeling this year that Europeans coming over and constantly winning it wasn’t really doing it any favours. But Tuesday showed that Australian horses can still be competitive and can still win this amazing race. It was won by a big syndicate of owners and it was just a really, really good story for the race and of all the horses to beat us I really didn’t begrudge him for it. 

But the love for Prince Of Arran has been lovely and it’s very touching – they seem to have taken him under their wing and clearly have a lot of affection for him. But that really is the kind of horse he is, he’s got a wonderful personality. They also love the story of Tash and her affection for the horse and he’s become a real public favourite down here. His record in Australia speaks for itself. In six starts he’s never been out of the first three, placed in two Group 1s, placed in two Group 2s and won two Group 3s, it’s pretty unbelievable. 

Japan or Hong Kong in the pipeline
So the immediate plan for Prince Of Arran is either the Japan Cup or the Hong Kong Vase. We were invited to Japan immediately after the race and then overnight were invited to Hong Kong as well which is great. I feel like Japan is unbelievably tough – the ground is always rattling quick and the Japanese are always very, very difficult to beat on their own turf. 

I am really going to consider both and get an idea of both fields if I can and see what’s what. I have a feeling the Vase might be quite strong this year. My first choice will be to go to Hong Kong just because I feel it suits him better. I thought he was flying in Hong Kong last year, but the draw is so crucial there– if you get drawn wide you are already at a huge disadvantage before the race has even begun. That is what I love about the Melbourne Cup the draw is not the deciding factor as we saw on Tuesday. Vow And Declare was drawn 21 and sat in the box seat, how Craig Williams got him in that position I do not know, which is sort of what Michael Walker did last year from stall 20. 

So plans have not yet been set in stone for Arran for the rest of the year, but all being well and he stays fit and healthy, all roads will lead back to Melbourne again and we are hoping it will be third time lucky and I can’t wait.