Rekindling Wins The Melbourne Cup

The Joseph O'Brien trained Rekindling led home an Irish-trained 1-2-3 in the Emirates Melbourne Cup with O'Brien getting the better of his father, Aidan, whose Johannes Vermeer was second with Max Dynamite back in third for Willie Mullins.

Rekindling became just the third ever Irish-trained winner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup with O'Brien becoming the youngest ever winning trainer at just 24, a feat which winning owner Lloyd Williams described as "close to walking on water".

O'Brien said afterwards; "I can't quite believe it yet, I'm just so thankful to Lloyd and Nick (Williams), as they suggested to bring him down and that he would have a good chance in the race.

"Corey gave him an unbelievable ride and I'm just so delighted for everyone. I landed yesterday morning and haven't seen the horse for a month so the lads that have been down here with him, Mark, MJ and Shay, have done an unbelievable job and I can't quite believe it."

INCREDIBLE! REKINDLING has WON the 2017 #MelbourneCup. pic.twitter.com/94LyrWP7bv

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017

Williams was winning the race for a sixth time and following up Almandin who carried his colours to victory last year and he was full of praise for the winning trainer. He said; "I think Joseph is going to be one of the leading trainers in the world and I have thought so for 18-months or more and you only have to ask his father about my conversations with him on that."

Max Dynamite was second two years ago and ran another creditable race to finish third behind Rekindling and Willie Mullins was determined to come back again.

"I was delighted with him, I thought half way up the stretch if he could get room he might get out and do it but I think his age probably caught up with him," Mullins said in the aftermath.

He added; "I'm delighted with Thomas Hobson who finished sixth and Wicklow Brave cashed a cheque in 10th so I'll be back, definitely."

See the full finishing order: Melbourne Cup Result