Point Of Law Wins Melbourne Cup as Ciaron Maher Makes Historic Trifecta

Ciaron Maher secures historic Melbourne Cup trifecta with Point of Law victory

Point Of Law, a three-year-old colt previously owned by King Charles III, won the 166th Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday, securing a historic first-place sweep for trainer Ciaron Maher. According to reports from RTE.ie and the BBC, Maher became the first trainer in the 166-year history of the race to saddle the top three finishers, as stablemates Zahrann took second and Juja Kibo finished third.

The victory marks a significant shift in the landscape of international staying races. Point Of Law, a son of Frankel, entered the race as an 11/2 favorite following a win in the Geelong Cup. The win makes him only the third Northern Hemisphere three-year-old to claim the prestigious title, joining Rekindling (2017) and Cross Counter (2018), as noted by the ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Trustyourinstinct during a trackwork session at Werribee Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia — Photo: The Irish Times

The race was defined by a dramatic tactical shift in the final stages. Royal Supremacy held a massive lead during the contest, stretching the margin to as much as 15 or 20 lengths at the 1,000m mark, according to both the BBC and ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation. However, jockey Ethan Brown kept Point Of Law patient, waiting for a clear run in the final furlongs. Once clear, the colt produced a massive turn of foot to overtake Royal Supremacy, winning by 3.75 lengths.

Tactical execution and the Maher dominance

For Ciaron Maher, the result represents his second Melbourne Cup win, following his 2022 victory with Gold Trip, per the Thoroughbred Daily News. Maher entered the race with seven runners, a record number of entries for this year’s field. His dominance extended beyond the podium; Royal Supremacy finished fifth and Shockletz finished sixth, meaning five of Maher’s seven runners placed in the top six.

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“It’s been a whirlwind really. I’m very proud of all the team – to get three horses in the first three spots,” Maher said, according to RTE.ie.

Jockey Ethan Brown, who secured his first Melbourne Cup win, described the performance as a career milestone. Brown, who previously faced a life-threatening fall in a 2023 race, emphasized the importance of patience during the final stretch. The BBC reported that Brown told himself to “stay cool” and “stay patient” as the leader appeared to have the race secured.

Point Of Law ridden by Ethan Brown wins the Melbourne Cup in Australia — Photo: BBC

“I just tried to stay cool and stay patient, cut the bend and once he got that clear run in, his turn of foot was enormous. He’s going to be a superstar horse, he’s something special,” Brown said, as cited by RTE.ie.

The financial stakes of the event were substantial, with the Melbourne Cup offering a prize of A$10.2 million. Point Of Law was purchased privately by Wathnan Racing from the King and Queen earlier this year for an undisclosed sum, according to the BBC. The ownership group included high-profile investors such as former AFL player Chris Judd and his wife, Bec.

International contenders and race day controversy

While the Maher stable dominated the results, the performance of international challengers provided a stark contrast. Joseph O’Brien, the Irish trainer who entered five runners in search of a hat-trick, saw his best finisher, Sons And Lovers, finish in fourth place. Other O’Brien entries, including Trustyourinstinct and Kizlyar, finished further back in the field, while Goodie Two Shoes finished near the rear, according to The Irish Times and ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

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The race day was also marked by regulatory issues and protests. The Age reported that trainer Chris Waller was fined A$50,000 after a stable worker mistakenly administered the medication penetrene to the horse Asterix, which was subsequently scratched from the race. This was labeled a “serious breach” by race stewards. Additionally, the BBC noted that the “Nup to the Cup” movement gathered outside Flemington to protest against horse racing.

The following table summarizes the top finishers and key performance data from the race:

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Position	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Notes
1st	Point Of Law	Ciaron Maher	Ethan Brown	11/2 Favorite; 6th career start
2nd	Zahrann	Ciaron Maher	Ben Melham	22/1 shot
3rd	Juja Kibo	Ciaron Maher	Sam Clipperton	Stablemate of winner
4th	Sons And Lovers	Joseph O’Brien	Dylan Browne McMonagle	Best Irish finisher
5th	Royal Supremacy	Not specified	Not specified	Led by up to 20 lengths

Despite a decline in general interest in the race—with a Guardian Essential poll cited by the BBC finding only 9% of Australians hold high interest—the 2026 staging maintained massive betting volume. Last year, the event drew a record $382.5 million in bets, underscoring its continued status as a cornerstone of the Australian sporting calendar.

Point Of Law’s trajectory suggests a significant impact on future Group 1 campaigning. Having already won the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket and the Geelong Cup, his performance at Flemington establishes him as a premier international stayer. The focus now shifts to his upcoming assignments and whether his connections will target further major staying tests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Disclaimer: The analytical insights and data provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.