TRAINED in Germany, Irish interests played a key role when Protectionist, bred by owner-breeder Dr Christoph Berglar, was bought into by Australian Bloodstock (directors Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett) to the tune of 50% with an option for 100%. “Wally looked at this horse in Germany (earlier this year with Australian Bloodstock) and said to me this is the most fantastic animal he has ever seen and he was right,” said Robert Power of his brother Wally, both of whom live in Sydney and run a civil contracting business.

The Power brothers, born in Wexford, where their parents and extended family were up in the early hours of Tuesday watching the race, were joined in the ownership of Protectionist by Fergie Doyle and his wife Delia, who came to Sydney in the 1970s. “I can’t put words to it,” said Wally Power. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been here in Australia for 25 years, and all I have ever wanted was to have a horse in the Melbourne Cup. This is what it is about; that animal out there and the love of it.”