Trainer Ciaron Maher has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first conditioner to achieve a trifecta in the 2026 Melbourne Cup.
Maher saddled seven runners in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, with Point Of Law leading the way home.
Sent out the $7 favourite under Ethan Brown, Point Of Law scored by a widening 3-¾ lengths from Zahraan ($26) with Juja Kibo ($14) a short-head away third.
Tearaway leader Royal Supremacy ($51) held on bravely to finish fifth after leading by a conservative 15 lengths at the 800m mark with Shockletz ($10) ran sixth.
Middle Earth ($17) finished tenth while Mr Monaco ($26) was the worst performed of the Maher team winding up in 17th position.
The trifecta returned a dividend of $2644.50 for a $1 dividend.
Maher’s racing manager Will Bourne secured Point Of Law from His Majesty The King for Australian clients and was prepared for the Melbourne Cup in quarantine at Werribee.
Point Of Law was having just his sixth race start and won his way into the Melbourne Cup winning a ‘Golden Ticket’ in the Geelong Cup (2400m) at his Australian debut on October 21.
Maher, who won the Cup in 2022 with Gold Trip when in a training partnership with David Eustace, knew he had a strong hand in Tuesday’s race.
“We just had to execute,” Maher said.
“I certainly didn’t know that Royal Supremacy would go and lead by that far but nothing better than a true staying test,” Maher said.
“Point Of Law has just thrived and I can’t thank all the team enough, all the owners, what a ride they have been on.
“It’s been a whirlwind really.”
Maher said the world was Point Of Law’s oyster as Tuesday’s victory was the Northern Hemisphere-bred three-year-old colt’s sixth start in a race.
“He’s obviously very talented,” Maher said.
“He’s won that very well and he’s a European three-year-old still. I think he’s got a bright future, a big engine and should be a lot of fun.”
Maher said he was digesting the feat and could not thank his Head Of Bloodstock Will Bourne enough for sourcing Point Of Law for the stable.
“He spends a lot of time overseas and sometimes I think I work for him, I’m at work and he’s overseas,” Maher said.
“All the connections he’s made, he’s got an eye for it.”
Brown, severely injured in a fall at Flemington three-and-a-half years ago after which he considered retirement, said the Melbourne Cup was the furthest thing from his mind when he first came to Melbourne from Alice Springs as an apprentice.
“I thought I would come to Melbourne and try and ride a few winners,” Brown said.
“I have had great support throughout my career.
“It’s been a bumpy road, had a lot of challenges thrown my way, I’m obviously not the only one but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“It’s days like this that make it all worth it.”
Tuesday’s victory continued Maher’s remarkable success this season. Maher sits atop of the Australian premiership table and along with the Melbourne Cup, he also won last months The Everest with Tempted and Tuesday’s success has pushed the trainer past the $30 million mark already this season.
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