Absurde and Hipop De Loire could represent Mullins while O’Brien has entered the St Leger favourite Scandinavia in the Aussie showpiece on November 4
10:06, 02 Sep 2025
Australia’s greatest horse race has enticed Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien to make entries in this year’s Melbourne Cup, a contest both have yet to win.
Record-breaking jumps trainer Mullins is set to have his third crack at the £4.8 million prize with last year’s fifth Absurde and has also put Ebor Handicap sixth Hipop De Loire in the line-up. O’Brien, who has endured a difficult relationship with the event, has included St Leger favourite Scandinavia among a trio of horses.
Last year the Ballydoyle trainer was committed to having his first runner in the race since 2020 when Tiger Moth finished second a year after Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck suffered a fatal injury racing at Flemington.
But his challenger Jan Breughel was ruled out by Racing Victoria’s ultra-strict veterinary protocols which deemed, following a CT scan, that the St Leger winner was “at heightened risk of injury”.
A frustrated O’Brien said: “It was unlucky for us, lucky for them. He was a Group 1 horse in a handicap with 8st 7lb and Ryan Moore riding him.”
O’Brien’s son Joseph, who has won the race twice, has nominated two horses, led by Al Riffa, who was recently bought by the Melbourne Cup-winning Australian Bloodstock syndicate who also now own the ex-Mullins trained Vauban.
Furthur, also bound for the St Leger, and Epic Poet, one-two in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, have been entered by their trainers Andrew Balding and David O’Meara.
Onesmoothoperator, who finished 12th for Brian Ellison after capturing the Geelong Cup while down under, could have another go.
Via Sistina, the 10-time Group 1-winning mare trained by Chris Waller, is the star name in the list along with Knight’s Choice, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner who is set to have his first start of the year on September 13.
VRC Chief Racing Officer Leigh Jordon said: “The Lexus Melbourne Cup continues to capture the imagination of trainers and owners both here in Australia and around the world, and this year’s nominations reflect that global appeal.
“The mix of elite homegrown horses, seasoned internationals and promising newcomers makes this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup an exciting build up for racing fans.”