Willie Mullins’ Ambitious Return to the Melbourne Cup

In a bid to etch a notable achievement onto his illustrious training résumé, renowned horse trainer Willie Mullins is gearing up to make another significant presence at the Melbourne Cup. This year, he saddles a double entry with Vauban and Absurde, both of whom have recently arrived in Australia. Mullins aims to overcome the disappointments of last year where his horses failed to meet expectations on one of the biggest racing stages in the world.

Overview of Mullins’ Melbourne Cup Campaign

The latest report highlights that Mullins’ horses have settled into their new surroundings in Werribee, where they will prepare for the race scheduled for November 5—the day that stops the nation. The journey to Australia marks a return for both horses; they traveled alongside Aidan O’Brien’s promising market leader, Jan Brueghel, and the long-shot contender Kinesiology trained by Jessica Harrington.

Vauban, last year’s favorite at 9/2, experienced a shocking setback, finishing in 14th place. In contrast, Absurde brought home a commendable seventh place. Mullins’ assistant trainer, David Casey, has expressed eagerness and confidence in the abilities of both horses as they prepare to rectify last year’s results. He remarked that Absurde ran strategically well amidst a race where the tactics went awry, and they believe Vauban, who they feel underperformed, is capable of better this time around.

Training and Preparations

With both horses meticulously cared for, Casey reported that they traveled well and have quickly acclimatized to the training environment. “Vauban has put back on everything he lost,” Casey indicated, emphasizing the diligent efforts put into their preparation. The horses have undertaken light training routines, which include “a bit of a hack and a canter,” signaling their readiness as they head into the critical final days leading up to the race.

Mullins is especially attuned to the nuances of preparing horses for such a prestigious event. Casey confirmed that their travel strategy differed from last year’s route taken by Vauban, who had to qualify in the lead-up races ensuring their spot in the Cup. Moreover, the earlier decision to aim directly for the Melbourne Cup with Absurde, following a win at Chester, reflects a strategic and adaptive approach to training and competition planning.

Beyond the horses’ preparations, riding assignments have also been finalized. William Buick retains his partnership with Vauban, and legendary Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy takes the reins on Absurde. The choice of riders is critical and represents a strategic move to leverage their proficiency in riding in Australia.

Below is a summary of key facts related to Mullins and his strategies heading into this year’s Melbourne Cup:

• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Horses: Vauban and Absurde
• Date of the Race: November 5
• Key Competitors: Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel and Jessica Harrington’s Kinesiology
• Last Year’s Performance: Vauban (14th place), Absurde (7th place)
• Riding Assignments: William Buick (Vauban), Kerrin McEvoy (Absurde)

Guest Interview: David Casey

To delve deeper into Mullins’ Melbourne Cup strategy, I’ve invited David Casey, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, to discuss the preparations for this year’s event and share insights on the connections with both horses.

Moderator: Welcome, David. Thank you for joining us today. Can you elaborate on how the horses have settled into their new environment in Werribee?

David Casey: Thank you for having me. The horses have adjusted remarkably well since their arrival. They are familiar with the travel, and both Vauban and Absurde quickly regained their strength after the flight. They’ve shown great energy and enthusiasm during their workouts here.

Moderator: Given last year’s results, how are both horses being prepared differently for the Melbourne Cup this year?

David Casey: We learned a lot from last year’s experience. While we made some tactical errors, this time we’re focusing on their strengths. With Absurde, we aimed to get him into a comfortable rhythm early, and for Vauban, we’ll be implementing a training strategy aimed at unlocking his full potential.

Moderator: There’s a lot of excitement around their chance this year! What do you think are their strongest attributes heading into the Cup?

David Casey: Both horses have their unique strengths. Vauban has incredible speed and stamina, while Absurde has shown great tenacity during his races. Both possess the spirit required to compete at this high level.

Moderator: Finally, how has the team’s morale been as they prepare for such a prestigious event again?

David Casey: The team is pepped up. We’re all eager to set the record straight after last year. Willie is particularly focused on this Cup, and the enthusiasm is palpable within the training yard.

Readers, what are your thoughts on Willie Mullins’ chances this year with Vauban and Absurde? Do you think they can outperform last year’s results? Engage with us in the comments below to share your views! Whether you are a casual fan or a seasoned racing enthusiast, we would love to hear from you.