European stayer Al Riffa is set to give Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien another shot at Melbourne Cup glory after being secured by Australian Bloodstock for the 2025 edition of the great race.

While the Melbourne Cup is the immediate target, connections have confirmed Al Riffa will not remain in Australia afterwards. Instead, the high-class stayer will continue his global campaign, heading to the Hong Kong International Races in December before lining up at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March.

Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett confirmed Al Riffa will stay under the care of O’Brien, who has twice won the Cup with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020). “He’s the obvious horse,” Lovett said. “After his Curragh Cup win, he looked a natural two-miler and a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect.”

Al Riffa will next contest the Group 1 Irish St Leger on September 14 before joining the second shipment of Spring Carnival horses bound for Melbourne. His dominant Group 2 Curragh Cup victory in July was the performance that drew Australian Bloodstock’s attention.

Lovett explained the ownership group spans across Europe, Dubai and Australia, ensuring a broad international interest in his career. “The aim is not just to run in the Melbourne Cup but to win it, and then give connections the thrill of travelling with him to Hong Kong and Dubai,” he said.

Punters can follow Al Riffa’s lead-up races and back him in the Melbourne Cup markets now through Australia’s leading betting sites.