Dunaden 

Welcome to our Dunaden page

Congratulations to Dunaden on a hard fought and deserving victory in the 2011 Melbourne Cup!

Dunaden, in the closest finish in the 151 year history of the Melbourne Cup, defeated the gritty Red Cadeaux (GB) by the length of his nose in a spectacular finish.

Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, in similar fashion to Americain last year, made his Australian debut in the 2011 Geelong Cup. But the similarities don’t end there.

During the 2400 metre Group 3 handicap race, which took place on the 19th of October, Dunaden earned an impressive victory over favourite Tanby and place-getter Bauer. Much like Americain accomplished in winning the 2010 Geelong Cup.

Likewise, the Craig William’s ridden Dunaden was asked to carry 58kg, the same weight Americain rode to his Geelong Cup win.

Dunaden, a French galloper, is trained by France’s Mikel Delzangles, while Americain is trained by top French horseman Alain de Royer-Dupre. Mikel Delzangles was at one time an assistant to the highly regarded Royer-Dupre.

Dunaden’s next race took place in the prestigious $6.2million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday the 1st of November. Americain also made his next start in the Melbourne Cup in 2011, and was the first French trained horse to win the internationally famous event.

An accomplishment Dunaden was well suited for, given his Geelong victory and performance in a 3000 metre Group race at Longchamp earlier in the year, when he handily defeated Americain.

Supported by these facts, and an impression he was beginning to peak, Dunaden was among the top five in early Melbourne Cup odds. His Melbourne Cup odds firmed into the $8.00-$9.00 range before the race was run and won.

With the momentum gained from his Melbourne Cup glory the connections for Dunaden continued their overseas assault. Dunaden's next start took place in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin, on Sunday the 11th of December.

The 2011 Hong Kong Vase, one of four Group 1 events held during the $8.2 million AUD (HK62 million) Turf World Championships at Sha Tin, was a 2400 metre event with prize money totaling $1.8million AUD (14million HK).

Also contending the Hong Kong Vase was the very horse Dunaden defeated in the exciting finish of the 2011 Melbourne Cup, the English stayer Red Cadeaux.

Dunaden entered the Hong Kong Vase as the favourite ($5.50) and didn't disappoint. Ridden brilliantly by Craig Williams, who missed a ride on Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup due to suspension, the Nicobar six year old accelerated to the line to defeat local runner Thumbs Up with Red Cadeaux finishing a gutsy third.

With this victory, Dunaden became the first horse in history to win the Melbourne Cup - Hong Kong Vase double. A feat attempted last year by Americain, who could muster no better than third.

As a result of these impressive showings, Dundaden has been recognized as one of the stronger Melbourne Cup winners in recent times, with only the great Makybe Diva standing clearly alone at the top of the list.  

Dunaden 2012

Fresh off a deserved spell, Dunaden's next race will be the Jockey Club Stakes.

The Jockey Club Stakes, held Saturday the 5th of May, is a 2414 metre Group 2 event for runners four years and up.   

Jumping off on 2000 Guineas Day at the Rowley Mile in Newmarket England, the Jockey Club Stakes offers prize-money totaling £80,000 ($125,000 AUD).

Dunaden is using the chance to prepare for key upcoming staying races, including his likely next target, the Coronation Cup at Epsom on the 2nd of June.

This page is designed to provide the most detailed Australian racing information, news and statistics for the Nicobar stallion foaled on 26/02/2006. For tickets and other related information, contact the club where Dunaden is due to run.

Dunaden horse form and statistics

Our Dunaden form guide shows his record for starts in Australia including his ROI for each track, jockey, weight, field size, track condition, distance, barrier position and so on.

Horse Racing Tips

We also offer access to Race Tips on our king tipping page. Tips backed by detailed performance graphs, so you can clearly see who’s got the red hot hand.

Race Odds

You can view Race Odds 48 hours before each listed event is run through the Punters Paradise live Odds Comparison page. A page that allows you to compare, and take advantage of, the best odds being offered by the leading online bookmakers and betting exchanges.

Dunaden Race Results

The Free Punters Paradise Race Results page allows Dunaden fans to see the latest winners, track the performance of their favourite horses and obtain the odds payout for each listed race.

Dunaden News

The latest Dunaden News and betting information can also be found here. Any news item that happens to mention the Umatilla four year old will be featured on this page and our Dunaden news articles also include links to the forms for the trainers, jockeys and other horses mentioned.