Farewell the “King” and long live the others

Last week we lost the only Australian-based Melbourne Cup winner at stud when Kingston Rule died, aged 25, at Ealing Park Stud, Euroa, where he had stood at stud for 20 years.

It’s worth reflecting on the living Melbourne Cup winners and what they are up to.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

The oldest living Emirates Melbourne Cup winner is Just A Dash, who, at the wonderful, amazing age of 35, lives a pampered life with Stephen and Christine Hill at Willow Dene Farm, Dapto, NSW.

The Hills inherited Just A Dash 20 years ago when the 1981 Cup winner failed to make it as a police horse.

“He’s still well, sprightly for his age. He’s rugged in the winter and never misses a feed,” Hill said.

The other living Cup winners are:

Let’s Elope (1991), mare, aged 24—Retired from breeding and lives at Seven Creeks Estate, Euroa. Her last foal was a 2008 filly, Karata, by Elvstroem.

Subzero (1992), gelding, aged 23—The much-loved grey has retired as a clerk of the course mount for Graham Salisbury, based at Heathcote, but he remains an ambassador for racing and visits up to 100 schools a year.

Vintage Crop (1993) gelding, aged 25—Lives in retirement at the Irish National Stud, where he is the most popular horse in the stud tour.

Doriemus (1995) gelding, aged 21—Spends most of his time at Living Legends, near Tullamarine.

Saintly (1996) gelding, aged 19—Lives a useful life as a caretaker to young colts at trainer Bart Cummings’ Princes Farm, Castlereagh, NSW.

Might And Power (1997) gelding, aged 18—Enjoys life as one of the main attractions at Living Legends.

Jezabeel (1998) mare, aged 19—Now owned in WA by breeder Geoff Evans. Her most recent foal was a filly in 2009 by Street Sense, named Broadway And Fifth.

Rogan Josh (1999) gelding, aged 19—Bart Cummings’ 11^th Cup winner lives in retirement at Living Legends.

Brew (2000) gelding, aged 17—Unfortunately, Brew failed his test to become a police horse. Now a resident of Living Legends.

Ethereal (2001) mare, aged 15—In September, she foaled a colt by Encosta De Lago at Pencarrow Stud, near Hamilton, in New Zealand.

Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005) mare, aged 13—Produced a colt this spring by champion sire Lonhro. She was mated to Starspangledbanner. The great mare spends most of her time at the stud named in her honour, Makybe, nestled in the Barrabool Hills at Gnarwarre, near Geelong.

Delta Blues (2006) stallion, aged 11 –Delta Blues retired in Japan in 2008, but there is no record of him siring any foals.

Efficient (2007) gelding, aged 8—Nagging injuries have halted the grey gelding’s attempt for a second Cup win, but he returned to racing in the 2011 spring for owner Lloyd Williams.

Shocking (2009) stallion, aged 6—Failed in last year’s Melbourne Cup, but he won the G1 Australian Cup in 2011. Retired soon after to stand at Rich Hill Stud, Walton, New Zealand, where he covered more than 120 mares.

Americain (2010) stallion, aged 7—The first French-trained winner returned to Melbourne for another try at the Cup. Won the G2 Zipping Classic and now trained by David Hayes.

Dunaden (2011) stallion, aged 6—another French-trained winner. This international vagabond followed his wonderful Cup performance with a win in the G1 Hong Kong International Vase on December 11.

Photo: Kingston Rule pictured at Ealing Park in 2010 (photo, Sean Garnsworthy, Slattery Media Group)