Melbourne Cup Runner Wins at Cheltenham

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 16

Seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, the Willie Mullins trained French bred hurdler Absurde was back in the winning groove at the big Cheltenham jumping festival overnight scoring a brilliant win in the County Handicap Hurdle (2m1f).

Seventh in the Melbourne Cup, Absurde was a winner at Cheltenham last night - image At The Races Cheltenham Festival Twitter

The six year-old Fastnet Rock gelding settled last in the field of 17and produced a withering finishing to get up and win by a length beating the race favourite.

Advertisement

Absurde has had five wins and eight placings from 19 starts and was a popular visitor in Melbourne last spring accompanied by his adoring strapper Emilie Seigle, who was with him again at Cheltenham.

Absurde might not be the best Fastnet Rock to ever race, but he’s probably the one that has won over the longest trip with his wins running out to 4000m!

Advertisment
More Reading...
Fastnet Rock Stayer Might Be Headed Back for Second Melbourne Cup
Seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, the Willie Mullins trained French bred Fastnet Rock stayer Absurde may have booked his ticket back to Australia for a second tilt at the Melbourne Cup following a strong win in the Listed Chester Stakes (1m6 ½ f) overnight.
Shalaa Filly Puts Them to the Sword in $125,000 GC 1000
The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evergreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).
Rising Northern Hemisphere Star for Ghaiyyath
As we come to the end of 2025, the stallion sitting on top of the Australian Second Season Sires table is Ghaiyyath (IRE) and one of his promising three year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere this year is Opera Ballo, a commanding winner of the Group II Al Rashidiya (1m1f) at Meydan overnight.
War Princess Wins G3 Eulogy Stakes
Well performed three-year-old filly War Princess proved a class above her age group rivals as she led from barrier rise to take out the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham to claim her first success at stakes level.
New SW Almanzor - Lux Libertas Wins G2 Manawatu Challenge
Cambridge Stud's Almanzor (Fr) is a sire on fire on Saturday with five winners across Australia and New Zealand including a new stakes-winning mare in Lux Libertas that traces back to an iconic Australian female family.
Lara Antipova Wins G2 Challenge – Three-Quarter Brother Inglis Classic
Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after flashy filly Lara Antipova romped to victory in the Group II Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday bringing an exciting pedigree update for her three-quarter brother headed to 2026 Inglis Classic.
Almanzor Rising Star Touchdown - Half-Brother for Karaka
Caulfield Heath has been a happy hunting ground for promising Kiwi bred four-year-old Touchdown in recent weeks, and the New Zealand-bred son of Almanzor recorded his third consecutive win at the venue in Saturday’s A$80,000 MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1800m).
Exciting Sword of State Colt Downs Hot Favourite at Randwick
Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki was an odds on favourite for her return at Randwick on Saturday, but the speedy filly wilted in the heat with a furlong to run after opening up a big lead on the turn.
10YO Sagunto Wins Third Manawatu Cup
Matamata visitor Sagunto etched his name into the folklore of the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance at Trentham.
Fastnet Rock's Absurde Keep Frankie's Melbourne Cup Dream Alive
Absurde is likely to line up in the Melbourne Cup alongside stablemate and ruling favourite Vauban after the son of Fastnet Rock earned a golden ticket with his win in the £500,000 Ebor Hcp at York, to the delight of fans of Frankie Dettori.