Point of Law Wins Melbourne Cup; Trainer Ciaron Maher Claims Historic Trifecta

Point of Law, a three-year-old British-bred colt formerly owned by King Charles III, won the 166th Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday. Ridden by Alice Springs native Ethan Brown — who survived a career-threatening fall at the 2023 Australian Guineas — the horse tracked long-time leader Royal Supremacy before sweeping past with 150 metres to go to claim victory. Zahrann finished second and Juja Kibo third. Trainer Ciaron Maher, who also prepared both placings, became the first trainer in Melbourne Cup history to monopolise the trifecta. It was only Point of Law's sixth career start. The colt had also won October's Geelong Cup, making him just the fourth horse to complete the Geelong–Melbourne Cup double, following Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011). Of his mount's finishing burst, Brown said: "His turn of foot was enormous. He's going to be a superstar horse." Brown left Alice Springs at 15 to pursue riding, and after emergency surgery following his 2023 Guineas fall kept him sidelined for six months, the Melbourne Cup win marks a remarkable comeback. Earlier, Chris Waller-trained Asterix was scratched after stewards ruled that medication had been administered to the horse, reducing the field to 23 runners. Maher, who had seven entries in the race, also trained five of the top six finishers.