Onesmoothoperator has arrived safely back in the UK, after his 2024 Melbourne Cup campaign, which inclued Group 3 success in the Geelong Cup.

Having spent two weeks in quarantine in Newmarket before his departure, 'Smoothie' landed in Australia on the 29th September, with his groom Matt Brown, along with Brian & myself (Claire.)  We left the yard at home in the capable hands of  Jessica, and the team, in order to persue this Melbourne Cup dream.

Smoothie travelled really well, and arrived at the Werribee International Horse Facilities in great condition, where he remained for two weeks in strict quarantine.

'Smoothie'  had qualified for the Melbourne Cup with his win in the Northumberland Plate, but on his arrival into Australia, he was still well down the list at number 42 in the order of entries.

He adapted very easily to his Australian surroundings, and seemed to thrive on the extra special attention he recieved, including that from the Australian media.

Along with weekly veterinary inspections and 'trot ups', all international horses competing in the Victoria Racing Spring Carnival are required to undertake and pass an CAT scan before they are allowed to participate in any race (and this applies to every horse running in the Melbourne Cup).  This is only a small part of the strict veterinary proticols put in place by the Victorian Racing authorities, which are rightly set out to minimize the risk of any injuries to all participants.

After the 2nd acceptances for the Melbourne Cup,  Smoothie jumped up to number 32 on the list, but he was still a long way off a place in the Cup field. With the uncertainty surrounding it, and the fact that he was crying out for a race, it was decided to run him in the Group 3, Geelong Cup, where a win would almost certainly guarantee his MC spot.

After a nervous four days, we finally got the results of the scan, and were given the green light to head to Geelong, with Craig Williams booked to ride.

Despite biblical rain a few days prior, the track was in magnificent condition,   and the sun was shining brightly.  Drawn 9 of 12, he was steadied at the start and settled towards the rear. He progressed down the outer from halfway, ridden 2f out, driven and ran on to lead 1 1/2f out and soon went clear to win easily, giving us our first winner on Australian soil.

The victory was very special, and it resulted in Onesmoothoperator having booked his spot in the 'Race that stop's a Nation' and he was cut from 50-1 to 8-1 second favourite in the betting.

Smoothie came out of the Geelong Cup bouncing! However, the week leading up to the big race, he pulled a shoe off and cut his heel. This didn't appear to casue him any issues, but he was required to pass another vet inspection prior to the declaration and again, on the day before the big race. Tense times for the team!

With all the boxes ticked, it was time to follow the dream!

After the final field was announced, Smoothie was given the saddle cloth no 13, and his owner Patrick Boyle, picked (at random) barrier 12 (which went to 11 after one was withdrawn.) Craig Williams was confirmed for the ride.

The day itself was hot, and with an official crowd of 91,168 the atmosphere was electric! Smoothie (and Matt) remained cool, calm and collected and handled the occasion like the true professionals that they are.

Despite our hopes, dreams and expectations, the race itself did not go as we planned. Craig settled him in midfield, but then lost his position and ended up being too far back. At 4f out he was still third last and then when he asked Smoothie for a run at 2f, he was squeezed out of room. In the last furlong, he was amongst the quickest to finish, and did well to do so in 12th, which luckily, was the last spot to pick up prize money.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup was an experience like no other, and something that we are extremley proud to have been a part of, thanks to a very special horse, Onesmoothoperator, and to Matt, for doing such an amazing job looking after him.

We would like to give huge thanks to Patrick & Andrea Boyle (Boyle Bloodstock) and their family for the support they gave us, as without them, this journey would not have taken place.

There are so many other people that we would also like to thank, who contributed to the trip in some shape or form and I apologise in advance if I fail to mention anyone in person. We do appreciate everyone who played a part, big or small!

David Appleton - the agent who purchased Onesmoothoperator.

Ben Robinson & Connor Beasley - jockeys who's previous successes played the essential part of getting him into Australia.

IRT - for organising Smoothies transportation to and from Australia.

Rory (GBRI) - for Smoothies beautiful Union Jack sheet, and other goodies.

Ross, Louise, & all their team, including Steve (the gallop watcher) and the industry vets, based in the Werribee International Quarantine facilities, for making us so welcome, and assisting us on a daily basis.

Mike from Equimetre, who helped us to use the regulatory heart monitors whilst in Australia.

John (our Australian vet) and John (our Australian farrier) - both great at their jobs.

Paul, Jimmy & Liam -  track managers, who had their tracks at Werribee, Geelong & Flemington in first class conditions

Dr Grace Forbes and all her team, they have a thankless, yet important job  protecting the horses and the race by overseeing all the veterinary protocols.

To Everyone who made us so welcome at Seymour, Caulfield, Moone Valley and Flemington racecourses, and for the wonderful hospitality we recieved throughout our trip. The Australian's certainly do it the best!

The Media, both in Australia and at home, for the great coverage, the articles (including the famous Mrs Brown's Boys clip created by racingdotcom to which we laugh at every day) and the photo's, especially those we have used on our website and social media, courtesy of photographers including Michael Chambers, Alan Barber & Vince Caligiuri.

We would particulary like to thank our friends Darren Mcnamara (Dmac) & Bruce (Snowy) Clark for their continued support. They have followed our Cup dream since our first trip in 2005 and have produced several media articles promoting our story.

And to Everyone who has followed and supported us on social media, and other. The hundreds of messages that we recieved since this adventure began have been truly humbling. We appreciate, each and everyone of them.

There is a lot goes on behind the scenes, including a mountain of planning and paperwork, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Paul Bloodworth & Lauren Moore (International and Racing Operations for Racing Victoria) who went above and beyond, to help us. We are very grateful to them for everything they did for us over the last 4 months.

Finally, we would like to recognise our daughter Jessica, secretary Mandy,  and ALL of the great team we have at Spring Cottage Stables. They did an amazing job (as they always do) at home, having winners, and keeping things running smoothly. And to all of our other owners, who stood by us and supported us during the 6 weeks we were away.

Thank you to everyone, from the bottom of our hearts.

Brian & Claire