Vow And Declare won a dramatic Melbourne Cup while Frankie Dettori’s runner-up Master Of Reality was demoted to fourth after a stewards’ inquiry.
Dettori was given a nine-meeting ban after the victor, trained by Australian Danny O’Brien, won in a tight finish.
Stewards ruled Dettori, riding for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, impeded Il Paradiso, who was fourth past the post for Joseph’s father Aidan.
Il Paradiso was promoted to third, with British hope Prince Of Arran second.
Dettori looked to have sealed his first victory in the two-mile race ‘that stops a nation’ but Craig Williams claimed his maiden Melbourne Cup triumph on Vow And Declare before more drama in the stewards’ room.
Italian-born Dettori, 48, was banned for nine racedays in the state of Victoria, up to and including 13 November.
“I feel like crying” was the rider’s only response to reporters at the Flemington track.
But there was only elation for Williams, who said of his mount: “It was a privilege to ride him today and great to be associated with such a great horse.”
Winning trainer O’Brien was also celebrating a first Melbourne Cup victory.
“I really can’t believe it, I just feel incredibly blessed to have a horse good enough to be in it. The last 100 (metres) he just wouldn’t give in,” said O’Brien, who is no relation to the Irish father-and-son trainers.
Asked where the horse’s name came from, owner-breeder Paul Lanskey said he was named after his father.
“Dad would come home from the pub and say to mum: ‘I vow and declare I’ve only had a few beers.'”
Prince Of Arran was awarded second after the inquiry, having finished third last year for British trainer Charlie Fellowes.
“I’m incredibly proud of the horse. To do what he has done two years in a row is a remarkable achievement,” said Fellowes.
The build-up to the race had seen animal welfare in the spotlight after recent cruelty scandals in Australia.
Of the 24 runners, 23 horses returned back safely, although Rostropovich was found to be lame and taken to the University of Melbourne Equine Centre for further assessment.
