Al Riffa stands at the apex of this year’s Melbourne Cup, drawing attention not just as the favourite but as a horse with international pedigree, impeccable form, and the backing of a two-time Cup-winning trainer and a powerhouse syndicate.
The theme for 2025 is clear: can Al Riffa, with global acclaim and a formidable support team, land the ‘race that stops a nation’?
Al Riffa
Al Riffa, a five-year-old bay entire by Wootton Bassett out of Love On My Mind, has evolved into one of Europe’s elite stayers over the past twelve months.
His 2025 campaign has been stellar, showcasing adaptability, class, and a devastating late kick.
Kicking off this season with a solid third in the lucrative Group 2 at Riyadh in February behind Shin Emperor, Al Riffa then travelled to Europe’s top mile-and-a-half and staying races, never finishing out of contention.
He was a strong fourth in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April and a near-miss second to Rebel’s Romance over 12 furlongs at Royal Ascot in June, rallying powerfully and confirming his Group 1 class.
Progressing with every outing, Al Riffa’s finest moments came at The Curragh. In July, he powered away to a five-length victory in the Group 2 Curragh Cup, quickly followed by an authoritative win in the Group 1 Irish St Leger in September, where he made light work of strong opposition.
That four-length success cemented his position as Europe’s leading stayer and earned him a ticket to Flemington.
Why He’s the Favourite
Several factors justify Al Riffa’s status at the head of the market. His consistent top-level performances against Europe’s best, proven stamina over two miles, and the fact that he arrives ‘peaking’ off a hat-trick of top races are compelling form lines.
Additionally, he handles firm and good ground, settles in his races, and finishes strongly, all prime assets for tackling the unique test at Flemington.
The decision by Australian Bloodstock Two to secure Mark Zahra, arguably the Cup’s most bankable jockey of recent years, also signals intent and confidence from connections.
Perhaps the most telling endorsement comes from his rider. Mark Zahra has publicly called Al Riffa “the best horse Joseph O’Brien has brought to the Melbourne Cup,” a significant statement considering O’Brien’s past winners.
The weight (59kg) is a challenge, but history is full of champions who defied such statistics, and Al Riffa’s style suggests he will relish the step up in trip.
Joseph O’Brien
Joseph O’Brien is fast becoming a legend in the Melbourne Cup story. He first stunned the Australian racing public in 2017 with Rekindling, an Irish raider who won under Corey Brown.
He then doubled his tally with Twilight Payment in 2020, both times defeating horses trained by his own father, Aidan.
O’Brien’s tactical nous and ability to prepare stayers for two-mile classics are unmatched in the modern era. Few trainers globally have achieved so much on the world’s biggest staying stages given his age.
O’Brien’s approach is a blend of traditional stamina-building with meticulous attention to detail.
Horses like Al Riffa are given carefully planned preps, often targeting autumn and summer staying features in Europe, then freshened for their Australian mission.
For 2025, Al Riffa is joined by stablemate Goodie Two Shoes, with both horses arriving in top form, but all eyes are on Australia’s favourite in the big one.
The Power of Australian Bloodstock Two
The owners behind Al Riffa, Australian Bloodstock Two, bring proven success and deep Cup connections.
The syndicator famously won the Melbourne Cup with Protectionist in 2014 and Gold Trip in 2022, with both horses imported and brilliantly targeted at the race.
Their model centres on buying top-class European talent, leveraging strong trainer partnerships, and assembling syndicate groups to make global dreams possible for everyday racing fans.
Australian Bloodstock Two’s decision to partner with Joseph O’Brien again underscores their faith in Irish-trained horses for this marathon test.
Notably, Al Riffa joined their roster after running for various international ownerships, but winning the Irish St Leger in Australian Bloodstock’s colours in September reflected their ability to pick stars at the right time.
Can the Favourite Deliver?
While Al Riffa has the profile of a Cup winner, history offers caution.
Favourites have a less-than-dominant record in the Melbourne Cup: since the race’s inception, only around 25% of favourites land the prize.
Fiorente in 2013 was the last to do so, highlighting the challenge of converting market expectation into Cup glory.
Still, five-year-olds have a strong record, and staying form at a mile and three-quarters-plus has been the key pointer for past European successes.
Despite the daunting statistics, the combination of proven Group 1 European class, an elite trainer, a Cup-experienced jockey, and the backing of a leading syndicator means Al Riffa brings as strong a profile as any favourite in years.
As Cup day dawns, the question resonates: can Al Riffa live up to his billing and deliver another chapter in Joseph O’Brien and Australian Bloodstock’s Melbourne Cup story?
With peak European form, supreme connections, and everything pointing toward a monster run, Al Riffa embodies the dream that fires up racing fans every first Tuesday in November.
Win or lose, he has already stamped himself as one of the world’s best stayers. But, at Flemington, greatness is measured in gold and glory.
BETFRED
