News

Melbourne Cup dream comes true for five new Vauban owners

28th Oct 2026

Five new people will have a runner in Tuesday’s $10m G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington following a successful inaugural Inglis Digital Spring Carnival Online Sale, which concluded this afternoon.

Five shares - three 2.5% shares and two 1% shares - in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Vauban were offered in the sale and all sold, each to different buyers.

Greg Maitland secured one of the 2.5% shares for $10,000 and while he won’t make it to Flemington on Tuesday, he’s “beyond excited’’ to have a runner in the race that stops the nation.

“I don’t really care if he comes last, I’ve got a runner in the Melbourne Cup and that’s the dream,’’ an elated Maitland said.

“I’ve only been in the game recently, my mate Terry Board has been in it a long time and I’ve started to go in a couple with him, I’m in [Inglis Easter and Inglis Ready2Race Stakes winner] Rosberg with Clinton McDonald and I always thought having a runner in the Melbourne Cup would be fun so when this opportunity came up I wanted to have a crack.

“I own pubs so Melbourne Cup Day has always been a really big day for me. I’ll be at a function with 400 people in Adelaide at one of the pubs for Cup Day and now I’ve got a runner so I’m beyond excited.’’

Brisbane-based Steve Rielly purchased a 1% share in Vauban for $7000.

Rielly has had horses entered for the Melbourne Cup before but never had a runner but that will all change come 3pm Tuesday at Flemington.

“I know it’s a long shot but you’ve got to be in it to win it,’’ Rielly said.

“It’s 100% always been a dream to have a horse in the Melbourne Cup. I’ve had runners in a Cox Plate and a Caulfield Cup but not the Melbourne Cup so it’s really very exciting.

“I’ve had horses with Australian Bloodstock for years and I follow them on social media and I saw an ad pop up there over the weekend about the sale. I’ve used Inglis Digital before, I’ve bought a few horses with you guys online and it’s so easy, it’s basically click and forget.’’

The other offering in today’s Spring Carnival Online Sale was a 2.5% share in the Tony Gollan-trained 5YO Brindavan.

Offered by First Light Racing, the share sold for $17,000.

Brindavan will have his next start in the $2m G3 Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 7.

Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth was delighted with how today’s sale unfolded.

“This is a concept we have been looking at for a while now and for the first renewal of the Spring Carnival Sale to result in five people having their first Melbourne Cup runner, it’s been a great success,’’ Melmeth said.

“This sale has shown another element of the Inglis Digital platform whereby on the eve of one of the biggest weeks in world horse racing, we can provide the opportunity for sellers to capitalise on a strong appetite of buyers wanting to be involved in what is a unique sporting event at such short notice.

“We hope to build on this concept next year and beyond and with the support of vendors such as what we had this week, I’m confident there is room for significant growth in this sale moving forward.’’

The Inglis Digital action continues later this week with the November (Early) Online Sale, which runs from Friday (Oct 30) until next Wednesday (Nov 4).

Entries close at midnight tonight and among early entries for the sale is an eight-strong Godolphin draft, the I Am Invincible Stakes placed mare Yellowjacket as well as shares in recent G1 placegetter Welcometotheshow and multiple Group winner Warnie plus a stallion share in Wild Ruler.

To enter for the November (Early) Sale CLICK HERE.