Hopewell Rock and Defiantly set for Melbourne Cup tilt
Hopewell Rock and Defiantly have emerged as key European prospects for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. Both horses impressed in recent high-profile races, with Hopewell Rock finishing a strong second in the Ebor and Defiantly claiming victory in the Group Two Prix Kergorlay. Trainers George Boughey and Joseph O'Brien are optimistic about their chances at Flemington, emphasizing the horses' readiness for Australia's premier race. With bookmakers offering 14/1 odds on both runners, anticipation is high for their Melbourne Cup campaigns.
- Hopewell Rock & Defiantly set for 2026 Melbourne Cup
- Strong recent performances boost their Flemington chances
- Both runners offered at 14/1 odds by bookmakers
Two leading European challengers for the Melbourne Cup emerged this weekend, with Hopewell Rock and Defiantly set for a trip to Flemington in the autumn.
Despite a wave of support in the build-up to Saturday's Ebor, Hopewell Rock had to settle for second place. Rossa Ryan gave Daiquiri Bay a fantastic ride from stall one, tracking over to the stands' rail upon entering the home straight, and holding firm in the closing stages to deny the well-backed Hopewell Rock.
George Boughey was understandably gutted to miss out on the massive prize at York. However, speaking to the press after the race, Boughey was already eyeing an even bigger prize and mentioned the Melbourne Cup as the next target for his Ebor runner-up.
"He had a stop-start three-year-old campaign and never really got into a rhythm but since he’s been gelded, he has stepped up another level," Boughey said.
"He was a horse who has always promised a lot and now he’s starting to deliver. The Melbourne Cup has been the plan for a while; he’s a very straightforward and honest horse who clearly stays the trip well."
"I think he’s more than justified going there now. He loves a big field, so I think he’s absolutely tailormade for it."
The following day at Deauville saw Defiantly run out an impressive winner of the Group Two Prix Kergorlay.
Joseph O'Brien's Glorious Goodwood winner made the running under Dylan Browne McMonagle, and stretched clear of the classy Santorini Star to record an impressive five-length success.
"He's obviously a horse that's progressing well and I thought that was another step forward today," O'Brien said after the race. "I thought he got a lovely ride from Dylan and he's a stayer going the right way."
Joseph has an affinity with the Melbourne Cup, much more so than his famous father, Aidan O'Brien. O'Brien won "the race that stops a nation" for the first time with Rekindling in 2017, before Twilight Payment handed Joseph a second Cup victory in 2020.
That victory at Deauville guaranteed Defiantly a start in the 2026 Melbourne Cup - providing he passes the stringent veterinary checks that international runners undergo before making the trip to Australia - and Joseph seemed keen to have another crack at the world's richest handicap.
"I think if he pulls up okay from the race and everything's going well, he'd be an obvious candidate for Melbourne. Speaking with Jamie (Lovett of Australian Bloodstock), this is a good trial for the Melbourne Cup so we said we might as well come here and see if it's realistic. I think he's answered the question."
"I suppose the closest comparison would be to Twilight Payment because he goes to the lead and he's hard to pass. But every horse is different and he's definitely going the right way."
European bookmakers list defending champion Half Yours as the 9/1 joint-favourite for the 2026 Melbourne Cup, along with Tancred Stakes winner Aeliana. Both Defiantly and Hopewell Rock can be backed at 14/1 with bet365, and both would travel to Flemington with an outstanding chance.
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