“VOW And Declare has won it for Australia; they’re on top of the world,” was the cry of race-caller Matt Hill as a wall of horses crossed the line at the finish of the 2019 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Vow And Declare had turned around the host country’s luck and repelled a host of pesky invaders, keen to win one of the world’s most famous races. Yes, an Australian bred, owned and trained gelding was the hero of the hour, but he owed a great deal of his success to European influences.