Dunaden wins Melbourne Cup 2011

Christophe Lemaire won the Melbourne Cup on his first ride in Australia but the French jockey had to wait several anxious minutes as the judge examined the photo on the closest finish in the 151-year history of the famous racing that stop the nation.

The winning owner is Sheikh Fahad al Thani. He is only just turned 23 years and had become fascinated by racing when studying at a business college in London. He preferred thoroughbreds to the pure-bred Arabian breed owned by other members of his family in Qatar.
Asked why he had become so fascinated by horses and racing, Sheikh Fahad replied: “It’s in our blood.”

2011 Melbourne Cup Race

Trained by Mikel Delzangles and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Dunaden is likely to be aimed at the same race again next year. Last year's winner was Americain who finished at fourth.