Leading trainer Joseph O'Brien landed the Group One Melbourne Cup for the second time in his short training career with Twilight Payment managing to hold off the challenge of Tiger Moth, who was trained by his father Aidan O'Brien.
Having landed the event in 2017 with the Lloyd Williams owned Rekindling, O'Brien did it again this season with another one of his horses, with the seven year old Twilight Payment making almost every yard in the event.
It was heartbreak for Aidan O'Brien in two senses of the word with his Irish Derby runner up Tiger Moth once again falling just short in second, but also the race was marred by the fatal injury to Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.
The four year old was euthanised after fracturing a fetlock having broke down in the latter stages of the race and he becomes the seventh horse since 2013 that has died in the race.
Other noticeable placed runners in the event was Prince Of Arran for Charlie Fellowes who managed to grab third late in the day and now the English rider has placed in the last three renewals of the race.
However, although Joseph was sad for his father he was over the moon at his own achievement and praised the ride of Jye McNeil on board his winner.
(Credit ATR) O’Brien said: “Jye gave the horse a fantastic ride. Credit goes to the lads who have looked after Twilight Payment for the last month or so. They’ve done a fantastic job with the horses down there.
JOSEPH O'BRIEN WINS THE #MELBOURNECUP !!
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) November 3, 2020
TWILIGHT PAYMENT makes all as he claims his second victory in the race in four years. Absolutely terrific achievement for one of the best young trainers in the game 👏🏼
🎬 @Racing pic.twitter.com/Zibm0iWZND
“This was our first full year with him, he came to us halfway through last year. Going through the summer, he ran a couple of huge races at the Curragh.
“I was worried today he might have got a bit of pressure on the lead, but the horse has an incredible heart and Jye gave him a fantastic ride and he has a huge will to win.”
O'Brien added: It’s a privilege to train for the people that I train for and the horses that we have.
“We really appreciate the support and the success when it comes, but it’s a tough game as everybody knows and it’s a fine line from the top and the bottom. I’m just very appreciative.
“The proof that he got the fractions spot on is watching the race when you see Tiger Moth finish, but the horse is incredible and I’m just thankful of the support and the work everyone has done with the horse, at home as well.”
Talking on beating once again in the prestigious race he said: “We both realise how hard it is to win on the world stage in these big, big races, but I am very lucky that I have been able to win a couple of big races.
“Dad has been very lucky, he has won a lot of big races, I’d be delighted for him if he had won, and I’m sure he is for me having won. We do our best on the track and whatever happens out there happens.
“I was really too nervous to see what was going to happen. I was hardly able to watch, but it was a fantastic ride by Jye and a fantastic effort by all the lads with the horse.”