Teofilo's Without A Fight Completes the Caulfield Cup Melbourne Cup Double

Mark Smith - Tuesday November 7

A second consecutive winner for Mark Zahra, a third for Darley Stud’s Teofilo (IRE), and a first for Anthony and Sam Freedman, as the Caulfield Cup hero Without A Fight (IRE) proved a dominant winner of the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Never get sick of this feeling (image Grant Courtney)

Never get sick of this feeling (image Grant Courtney)

Beaten by over 21-lengths in the race 12 months ago, Without A Fight made the race his own, coming clear to defeat the Frankel gelding Soulcombe by two and a quarter lengths with a half-length back to the Sea The Stars (IRE) gelding Sheraz (FRA) who put in a career-best for third.

Given a ground-saving ride by Mark Zahra, Without A Fight moved into a challenging position on the turn, went right by the Willie Mullins-trained pair Absurde and Vauban, and had the race in his keeping over the final 300m.

Soulcombe missed the start again and had a checkered run in the straight, but the son of Frankel was clearly second-best on the day.

Without A Fight is the 12th horse to win the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year and the first since Ethereal (NZ) in 2001.

The Sheikh Mohammed Obaid homebred advances his record to 11 wins, three seconds and four thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $9,471,620.

Let the celebrations begin Mark Zahra and Sam Freedman (image Grant Courtney)

Let the celebrations begin Mark Zahra and Sam Freedman (image Grant Courtney)

A 7-year-old gelding, Without A Fight won three European stakes races, including the Group III John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (14f) at York when trained by Simon and Ed Crisford.

Advertisement

He was left with the Freedmans after disappointing behind Gold Trip (FR) in the Melbourne Cup last year and won his two starts in a winter campaign in Brisbane, the Group III Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) and Group II The Q22 (2200m), both at Eagle Farm.

He entered the Caulfield Cup off just one lead-up, a close-up sixth behind Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 23.

“It’s been a great race for the family, it’s been a while between drinks but it’s good to get another one and credit to the old man, he’s been incredible through all of this, his wisdom and experience in nursing a horse through like this,” Sam Freedman said.

“He went up to Queensland with him and looked after him up there and got him right into form and brought it back to Victoria and he’s been brilliant ever since so credit to him.

“An extraordinary ride, when you go back and watch it, he got him onto the rails from a wide gate, relaxed, switched him off, made a run through and I was pretty confident at the 800m he was travelling, he just needed the breaks to come.

Doesn't come much better (image Grant Courtney)

Doesn't come much better (image Grant Courtney)

“The horse is a freak, he let down like he was a sprinter at the 400 and there were no doubts on the trip late so he was excellent.”

Mark Zahra said it all went to plan.

“Unbelievable. If I could’ve thought I’d have that run from 16 I’d have said he was unbeatable,” he said.

“To the trainer’s credit and all their team, he was just an absolute gentleman today, went to the rails, switched off, I probably got to the front earlier than last year but I’d just had that soft a run.

“I was following Alenquer, probably not the best chance but D Oliver, in front of him was Gold Trip with James Mcdonald, in front of him was Vauban and Ryan Moore, so I thought I’m just going to stay here. They all made their moves, which opened up for me and I was on a horse you can just sit on, he’s got an electric turn of foot and he just pulled me all the way to the line and it was all over.

“I stood up in the irons and gave them the two fingers for two winners, I don’t know what I was thinking- idiot.

Looking the part (image Grant Courtney)

Looking the part (image Grant Courtney)

“Mark Hunter is a good friend and I rate him as one of the best judges in Australia. I spoke to him at length and he said ‘you know, there’s not much in it, but if you can get him to settle, he’ll run it’, we went through the race, the weather forecast. The stars aligned for Gold Trip last year and they aligned for this horse this year.

“I don’t get to pick the result, I have to pick them before then. Just a few things, weight and the way he won the Caulfield Cup, I was confident he’d run it out today.”

Without A Fight follows the 2020 winner Twilight Payment (IRE), and 2018 winner Cross Counter (GB) as Melbourne Cup winners for Darley Stud’s 6-season shuttler Teofilo (IRE).

He is the best of four winners from five to race for the Group III-winning Dubawi mare Khor Sheed, a 28,000 gns purchase for BBA Ireland on behalf of Yulong Stud at the 2023 Tattersalls February Sale.

Khor Sheed’s unraced daughter Sharja Princess (Invincible Spirit) is the dam of Grade II John C Mabee Stakes winner Avenue de France (Cityscape).

A half-sister to Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Prince Kirk (Selkirk), Khor Sheed is a granddaughter of Group 1 winner Halo's Princess (Halo), a half-sister to the imported mare Curator (CAN).

A daughter of Assert (IRE), Curator left her mark as the dam of  Group 1 SAJC South Australian Oaks and Group 1 WATC Western Australian Derby winner Voile D'Or (Dieu d'Or); Group 1 STC Mercedes Classic (Tancred Stakes) winner Curata Storm (Dieu d'Or); and Listed Gosford Belle Of The Turf Stakes winner Imperatrix (Strategic), dam of the Listed Canberra Cup winner Court Connection.

Advertisment

Race Result - Melbourne Cup Gr1 3200m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 3:18.37
1
Without A Fight
- 7g Teofilo (IRE) x Khor Sheed (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
2
2.3
Soulcombe
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Ribbons (GB) (Manduro (GER))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 53.5
3
2.8
Sheraz
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Shemiyla (FR) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Beau Mertens 51.5
4
4.8
Ashrun
- 8g Authorized (IRE) x Ashantee (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: K Mc Evoy 51.5
5
5
Daqiansweet Junior
- 6g Sweet Orange (USA) x Paulette (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 51.5
6
5.4
Interpretation
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Daldiyna (FR) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 50
7
5.5
Absurde
- 6g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Incroyable (USA) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: W P Mullins Rdr: Z Purton 53
8
6.7
True Marvel
- 8g Masked Marvel (GB) x Anecdotique (FR) (Enrique (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Ben Thompson 50
9
7.5
Vow And Declare
- 8g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: W Egan 53
10
8.2
Military Mission
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Rachel King 51
11
8.4
Okita Soushi
- 6h Galileo (IRE) x Amicus (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph O'Brien Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 51.5
12
9.2
More Felons
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x Pivotalia (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jamie Kah 50.5
13
13.2
Lastotchka
- 5m Myboycharlie (IRE) x Muthla (FR) (Muhtathir (GB))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Craig Williams 51
14
13.4
Vauban
- 6g Galiway (GB) x Waldfest (GB) (Hurricane Run (IRE))
Tnr: W P Mullins Rdr: Ryan Moore 55
15
14.1
Future History
- 6g Showcasing (GB) x Likelihood (USA) (Mizzen Mast (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Doyle 50
16
14.3
Breakup
- 6h Novellist (IRE) x Little Jun (JPN) (Kurofune (USA))
Tnr: T Yoshioka Rdr: K Matsuyama 55
17
23.3
Gold Trip
- 7h Outstrip (GB) x Sarvana (FR) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
18
32.3
Virtuous Circle
- 4h Almanzor (FR) x She Is Stryking (AUS) (Stryker (AUS))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: C Newitt 51
19
32.4
Serpentine
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 51
20
32.7
Kalapour
- 7g War Command (USA) x Kaladena (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Zac Lloyd 50
21
33.5
Alenquer
- 6g Adlerflug (GER) x Wild Blossom (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
22
43.5
Magical Lagoon
- 5m Galileo (IRE) x Night Lagoon (GER) (Lagunas (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M R Du Plessis 51
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There were four heats for juveniles at Randwick on Monday including a couple of interesting winners, one unraced by Too Darn Hot (GB) and one bred on a nick that works for Tricolours Thoroughbreds, plus a commanding trial winner at Hawkesbury by first season sire Anders.
Blue Gum Premier Star Prospects
Blue Gum Farm sold 24 yearlings for $4.4million at last year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale including the sale-topping $925,000 Snitzel filly from Jestajingle and Sean Dingwall and his team are proud to present another top class draft of 31 this year at Oaklands Junction.
Teofilo Quinella in Caulfield Cup as Without A Fight Edges West Wind Blows
A Group 1 quinella for the former Darley shuttler Teofilo (IRE) in Saturday’s $5,000,000 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) with Without A Fight (IRE) overpowering a game West Wind Blows (IRE) in what proved another outstanding result for Yulong Stud.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 25
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Without A Fight Outpoints Rivals in Q22
Without A Fight (IRE) has confirmed his status among the most promising stayers in the land when putting his opponents to the sword in the $1,200,000 Group II Sky Racing The Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Monday February 24
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Doncaster Weights Released – Yulong Import Mares – Who Are They?
Weights are out for the Group I Doncaster mile with Via Sistina (IRE) given top weight of 60kg, but unlikely to start with the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes her preference, however Yulong can still take a hand with their new raft of expensive imported mares.
One to Watch – Kembla
Promising debut winner at Kembla on Tuesday in the Emirates Park colours is Justify (USA) filly Amreekiyah, who has a half-sister by Home Affairs to be offered at Inglis Easter.
Zoustar Filly a Standout for Twin Hills
The team at Twin Hills Stud are prepared to be busy at Inglis Premier this week presenting a diverse draft of 25 by 24 different stallions and they include champion sire Zoustar, who has a filly to be offered that is bred on a nick that spells stakes success!
One to Watch – Grafton
Kooringal Stud’s bargain blueblood sire Sandbar has been the most searched stallion on Breednet this year through hypothetical matings and that’s thanks to his unbeaten super exciting 2YO Shaggy and at Grafton on Monday he produced another scintillating debut winner.