Melbourne Cup 2025: Lexus extend partnership, trainers plot path to the big race

The deal, which includes naming rights for ‘the race that stops the nation’, will take the association between the VRC and Lexus Australia to 25 years.

Lexus has also maintained naming rights to several ‘golden ticket’ races, which provide the winner with direct entry into the iconic Australian sports event.

VRC Strengthens Ties with Lexus

Having gained legendary status in the southern hemisphere since it was first staged in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has developed a more international flavour in recent years.

The VRC’s link-up with Lexus has broadened the global footprint of a race which matches the Grand National in England in terms of its widespread appeal.

Traditionally run on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup garners massive interest in the online gambling industry throughout the year.

Many established and new betting sites are already offering ante-post odds on the big race at Flemington Racecourse, showcasing its popularity with sports bettors.

Since Lexus jumped on the Melbourne Cup bandwagon, the VRC has worked tirelessly to establish the race in the psyche of racing fans across the world.

The VRC Chief Executive Officer Kylie Rogers said: “The VRC is proud to extend our partnership with Lexus Australia to a new milestone of 25 years.

“The relationship we have fostered over more than two decades has seen Lexus contribute to exceptional Melbourne Cup Carnival experiences since 2003 and support important fundraising initiatives such as our Pin & Win program, which raised a record amount in 2024.

“Lexus remains synonymous with Australia’s most iconic national sporting event, the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“It is the People’s Cup and has been part of the Australian psyche for 164 years, which we

see reflected in the fact 11.5 million adult Australians engaged with the day right across the country last year.”

Former Irish-Trained Horse Secures Melbourne Cup Spot

The build up to the 165th edition of the race has started, with one horse already securing a spot after winning the Roy Higgins Stakes at Flemington.

Deakin, the winner of two of his nine starts when trained by Irish handler Joseph O’Brien, has looked a much-improved performer since moving to Australia.

The Phillip Stokes-trained son of Australia defeated Berkshire Breeze under jockey Daniel Stackhouse to earn direct entry into the Melbourne Cup.

European imports filled the top five places in the Roy Higgins, highlighting their increased prevalence in the top races in Australia.

Deakin did not settle too well off a slow pace, but relaxed when Mostly Cloudy injected some speed into proceedings. He showed a good turn of foot to put the race to bed.

“It’s a very important win, just to see the progression the horse has made from when he came to us,” Stokes said.

“He’s been in work a long time now - we skipped the Adelaide Cup to come here. it was a big call and he’s been four or five weeks between runs now.

“He’s got very good staying ability and Stacky rode him beautifully. He’s probably come to the end of if it now - he’ll look very good in my paddock in front of the house in the morning.

“He’s got a start in the Melbourne Cup - that’s great, and we’ll just have to plot a path towards it.”

Vauban’s Connections Frustrated After Officials Postpone the Tancred Stakes

Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse slammed the abandonment of the card at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday after the racing surface was deemed unfit following 17mm of rain.

Along with co-trainer Adrian Bott, she was due to saddle the ex-Willie Mullins-trained Vauban in the Tancred Stakes. English trainer William Haggas had entered Dubai Honour in the race. 

Course officials abandoned the card after deciding there was ‘no certainty’ that the full programme would take place. Waterhouse raged at the decision.

"What’s gone wrong?" Waterhouse posted on social media. "17mm of rain and racing at Rosehill has been called off. I think anyone from overseas looking in on us would comment on what madness it is. 

"If this was NZ, Europe, UK, Ireland or the US they would all be racing at Rosehill, yet we’ve abandoned. I dread to think of the costs associated with this!"

The card was subsequently rescheduled for Tuesday and Dubai Honour produced a superb performance to record his third win from three starts in Australia.

The seven-year-old defeated Duke De Dessa by three-quarters of a length, with Vauban another half length adrift in third place after being denied a clear run at a crucial stage.

Vauban’s connections have made no secret of their desire to win the Melbourne Cup with the horse and it will be intriguing to see if they can succeed after two failed attempts by Mullins.