King Charles makes Point Of Law Down Under

King Charles III of the United Kingdom recently claimed victory in Australia's grandest horse race, the Melbourne Cup. His colt, Point Of Law, achieved this feat three months after the royal family sold the three-year-old to Australian owners. The Grade 1 event, which garners national attention in Australia, saw Point Of Law cross the finish line 3.75 lengths ahead of his 22 competitors, wearing blue stripes rather than the traditional royal silks of purple, red, and gold.

Despite the British royals' disappointment at parting ways with Point Of Law, they are still officially credited as winners due to their ownership of the mare, Portfolio, from which the colt was bred. The mare, a Japanese import, was sent to Frankel, a renowned sire, through a deal orchestrated by the royal family, which has earned praise for its strategic foresight.

Point Of Law's career began under the guidance of trainers John and Thady Gosden, who helped him win the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy in July. However, the royal family decided to sell Point Of Law as surplus to their needs. The new owners, a syndicate from Australia, secured the colt for an estimated A$3 million. Early training took place under top Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, who led Point Of Law to victory in the Geelong Cup and ultimately the Melbourne Cup.

The triumphant colt was ridden by jockey Ethan Brown, who had made a remarkable comeback from a severe injury sustained in 2023. Brown expressed his deep gratitude to Maher for his unwavering support throughout Brown's recovery and subsequent career resurgence. Brown also praised Point Of Law's exceptional turn of foot, attributing his victory to the horse's superior performance in the final stretch.