Vauban - A 7yo wins the shortest race he's ever contested

Craig Tompson - Saturday March 15

Vauban can only be described as a most remarkable horse and just to add to a story that appears far from finished, his first-up win in the 2000 metre Group III Sky High Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday as a seven-year-old came in the shortest race he’s ever contested.

vauban winning the Sky High Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

It’s a storied career so let’s do it in dot form:

  • June 2021 – won his maiden. In France. Over 1m3f - 2200m.
  • July 2021 – won his first stakes race at start four - Prix Frederic de Lagrange (LR) over 1m4f – 2400m.
  • Feb 2022 won his first hurdle race at start six over 2m – 3200m.
  • March 18, 2022 won the JCB Triumph Hurdle in England at the Cheltenham Festival over 2m1f – 3400m (Yes – nearly 3 years to the day. Over the hurdles!)
  • November 2023 – finished 14th in the Melbourne Cup after starting favourite when overworking himself and sweating up in the pre-race parade.
  • June 2024 – ran 4th to the mighty Kyprios in the Group I Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
  • November 2024 – finished 8th in the Melbourne Cup as $8 third favourite when overworking himself and sweating up in the pre-race parade.
  • November 2024 – Australian Bloodstock purchase him for $2million to remain in Australia and transfer him to the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott stable with a record of eight wins from 21 starts – five on the flat, three over hurdles.

In Australia we’ve come to know him as a gun European stayer that falls apart on the big occasion.

True enough given his Melbourne Cup parades and results.

The Waterhouse/Bott team did everything in their power to solve those anxieties, taking him to the races several times just to parade before the crowd and have an exhibition gallop.

You can do more, however on the evidence, as they headed onto the track before the Sky High Stakes it had counted for nought.

On the toe, sweating freely, with one commentator describing him as an ice-cream.

Advertisement

But class is class.

Settling second last and looking uncomfortable, he shifted to last and looked more comfortable.

And that’s where he stayed until the 300m mark, well into the straight, where quality and stamina took a hold, and he hit the line as best as he could. It was enough to nose out Arapaho.

They’ll resume hostilities in the Group I Tancred Stakes on March 29. A race Arapaho won in 2023.

Vauban is now equal favourite at $3.50 with Dubai Honour. Arapaho on the second line at $6.

It'll be keenly watched.

Advertisment

Race Result - Asahi Super Dry Sky High Stakes Gr3 2000m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 2:00.93
1
Vauban
- 7g Galiway (GB) x Waldfest (GB) (Hurricane Run (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
2
0.1
Arapaho
- 8g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 58
3
1.3
Lindermann
- 5g Lonhro (AUS) x Self Esteem (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 58
4
3.3
Circle Of Fire
- 5h Almanzor (FR) x Fiery Sunset (GB) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J R Collett 58
5
9.4
Kinesiology
- 4h Study Of Man (IRE) x Kinaesthesia (GB) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
6
11.3
Land Legend
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Landikusic (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58
More Reading...
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Stakes Winner for Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel produced his first stakes winner when two-year-old colt Cool Archie won the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Vauban Books His Ticket to Melbourne Cup
Already one of the favourites for this year’s Melbourne Cup, the Willie Mullins trained stayer Vauban secured his place at Flemington when scoring a powerful win in the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
Libertad Back To Winning Form in G2 Victory Stakes
It had been a while between drinks but Russian Revolution stallion Libertad found his way back to winning form in the Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Femminile gives Dundeel first female G1 winner with Derby victory
Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville this afternoon in the time honoured 2500m Classic.