Men of the Land Chase Cup

Media Release - Monday November 5

The O'Leary brothers won't be the only New Zealand farmers cheering on a horse they own in Tuesday's A$7 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Dan, Humphrey, Michael and Shaun O'Leary have become well-known as the owners of the warhorse Who Shot Thebarman, who will be having his fourth crack at the Melbourne Cup in a bid to better his best result, third in 2014.

ZacadaOne of the opposition this year is Cambridge stayer Zacada, who is owned by Rotorua dairy farmers Andrew Bryant and David Armstrong along with Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan.

"We got to know the Barman boys when we ran in the Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m)," Bryant said. "They won it and we came so close (beaten a nose). It was such a huge thrill."

There has been no joy in four starts with Zacada since the Sydney Cup and his owners were on tenterhooks awaiting confirmation of a place in the Melbourne Cup field until late Saturday.

"It was an absolute roller-coaster," Bryant said. "One minute we looked like we'd just get in, then there was a doubt.

"When we got in we had a big night on the town on Saturday night. (Sir) Patrick joined us and we celebrated, mind you we kept reminding him of the 'beautiful' draw he drew for us – 24 out of 24.

"It's such a huge thrill to have a runner in a Melbourne Cup. (Sir) Patrick has been there and done that before, but it's a first for David and I, even though he's rated a 200/1 chance. He wasn't fancied either when he ran in the Sydney Cup ($91)."

Advertisement

Like the Who Shot Thebarman camp, Bryant and Armstrong also have a strong support group on hand to cheer on Zacada on Tuesday.

"There are 30 family and friends who have come over for it, some of them are farmers from around the area," Bryant said.

"It's great for us to have them here. Now we're looking forward to Cup day.

"Murray says Zacada is a happy horse and the forecast is for a bit of rain and that would help him. We know he stays the distance."

A proven stayer, Zacada is the winner of the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) back in January and also ran well when fourth in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in March prior to his narrow defeat in the Sydney Cup. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Aussie Globetrotting Mare Now Calls Woodside Home
Woodside Park have released a list of their quality mares set to visit new recruit Celestial Legend this spring and one of them is Aussie bred Group II winner Nafaayes, who produced a promising 2YO winner overnight in the UK.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.