Godolphin to miss Melbourne Cup

Bin Surour, Appleby opt out due to stage four of lockdown

For the first time in 22 years, Godolphin’s UK-based horses will not be embarking on a journey that will take them half way round the world to compete in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most famous race and the richest twomile handicap in the world.

Racing Victoria confirmed yesterday that both Godolphin’s Newmarket-based trainers, Saeed Bin Surour and

Charlie Appleby, have notified Australia’s racing officials that due to revised ‘stage four’ restrictions covering metropolitan Melbourne amid the Covid-19 pandemic, they will not be taking part this year.

Great shame

“Both Saeed and Charlie have advised over the last few days that they won’t be coming to Melbourne this year,” said Paul Bloodworth, acing Victoria general manager of international operations.

“Charlie Appleby advised last night that because of the change to stage four restrictions, he wasn’t comfortable sending his staff to Melbourne and Saeed has also advised he won’t be coming. “It’s a great shame. Saeed has been a regular in Australia for 30 years and Charlie certainly over the last five or six years so it’s a shame they won’t be able to compete.”

The Melbourne Cup (G1) has always been high on the list of major races that Godolphin have sought to win since their first runner Faithful Son finished seventh in the race won by Jezabeel in 1998.

However, the dream became reality in 2018 when Cross Counter became gave them a first success in the race.

However, the Godolphin colours will not be missing in total at the Melbourne Spring Carnival, which runs from September 5 through to November 22.