Sangster on ground breaking G1 Melbourne Cup Mission
4 August 2013
Savabeel gelding Sangster is on a ground breaking mission to become the first horse to land the Gr.1 Victory Derby – Auckland Cup-Melbourne Cup treble.
As it stands, the triple Gr.1 star has already set the benchmark as the first horse in history to land the Gr.1 Victoria Derby – Gr.1 Auckland Cup double.
According to information extracted from Arion Pedigrees, there have been 15 horses to achieve the Victoria Derby – Melbourne Cup double. Since 1965 these horses have comprised: Lantern (AUS) 1861, Chester (AUS) 1874, Grand Flaneur (AUS) 1877, Martini Henry (NZ) 1880, Newhaven (AUS) 1893, Poseidon (AUS) 1903, Prince Foote (AUS) 1906, Spearfelt (AUS) 1921,Trivalve (AUS) 1924, Phar Lap (NZ) 1926, Hall Mark (AUS) 1930, Skipton (AUS) 1938, Comic Court (AUS) 1945, Delta (AUS) 1946 and Efficient (NZ) 2003.
Endearing him to the task, Sangster’s paternal grandsire Zabeel is the sire of Jezabeel, who is the only horse to have won the Auckland Cup/ Melbourne Cup double to date and he is also the sire of Efficient, who achieved the Victoria Derby/ Melbourne Cup double above.
Recent News
6 January 2026
Golden Family Keeps Shining
Waikato Stud-bred filly La Dorada continues to add further honours to her richly decorated family. The daughter of resident sire Super Seth enjoyed an outstanding juvenile season with success in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce …
Read More
4 January 2026
The Corner with Garry Chittick
Yet another year passed. As I head into 2026, I have done my best to start with a positive approach – horses, however, are renowned for their ability to replant one’s feet firmly on the ground.
Read More