The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in Australia, known for its long history and for attracting the best horses in the country. The 2020 Melbourne Cup is set to be one of the most exciting events of its kind, with many of the top horses competing for the trophy. But will any of the entrants be grey horses? Are there any grey horses running in the Melbourne Cup?
History of the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup has been run since 1861, making it the oldest continuous horse race in Australia. It is the richest “two-mile” handicap in the world, and the race itself is run over 3200 meters. The race is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, and attracts more than 100,000 spectators each year. The Melbourne Cup is also part of the “Spring Racing Carnival” which includes other races such as the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.
What Is a Grey Horse?
A grey horse is a horse of any breed whose coat is predominantly grey. Grey horses are often called “greys” for short. Grey horses range in color from a light silver-grey to a darker steel-grey. Grey horses have been used in racing for centuries, and they have a long and storied history.
Grey Horses in the Melbourne Cup
Grey horses have been a part of the Melbourne Cup for many years, although they are not as common as other coat colors. The most successful grey horse to have won the Melbourne Cup was the great Carbine, who won the event in 1890. Other notable grey horses who have competed in the Melbourne Cup include:
- The Barb (1906)
- Amounis (1924)
- Sea Prince (1960)
- Tristano (1965)
- Gurner’s Lane (1982)
- Vintage Crop (1993)
- Might and Power (1997)
- Efficient (2007)
- Shocking (2009)
- Dunaden (2011)
- Fiorente (2013)
- Prince of Penzance (2015)
- Almandin (2016)
Grey Horses in the 2020 Melbourne Cup
The 2020 Melbourne Cup is set to be one of the most exciting events in its long history, with many of the top horses in Australia competing for the trophy. The list of entries includes several grey horses, including:
- Vow and Declare
- Prince of Arran
- Surprise Baby
- Steel Prince
- Finche
- Mustajeer
- Verry Elleegant
- Twilight Payment
- Dalasan
- Avilius
Are Grey Horses Good Racers?
Many people believe that grey horses have an advantage in racing due to their distinctive color. Some studies have suggested that grey horses may have better vision than other coat colors, and that this could give them an edge on the racetrack. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory, and the success of grey horses in the Melbourne Cup and other races suggests that they are just as capable of winning as any other color.
Notable Grey Horses in Racing History
Grey horses have had a long and successful history in racing, with many of them achieving great success on the racetrack. Some of the most famous grey horses in racing history include:
- Phar Lap
- Seabiscuit
- Secretariat
- Man o’ War
- Kincsem
- Nijinsky
- Mill Reef
- Shergar
- Frankel
- American Pharoah
- Justify
Conclusion
The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, and it attracts some of the best horses in Australia. Are there any grey horses running in the Melbourne Cup? The answer is yes, there are several grey horses competing in the 2020 Melbourne Cup, including Vow and Declare, Prince of Arran, Surprise Baby, Steel Prince, Finche, Mustajeer, Verry Elleegant, Twilight Payment, Dalasan, and Avilius. Grey horses have a long history of success in racing, and many of the greats of the sport have been grey. So, while grey horses may not be the most common in the Melbourne Cup, they have the potential to do very well this year.