Emma Pritchard

Exciting young stayer Zoumon has won the 2023 Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup.

Rated superbly on pace by jockey Rachel King, who celebrated back-to-back success in the 2350m feature event after riding Arapaho (FR) to victory last year, the four-year-old son of Zoustar jumped the short-priced favourite from barrier 2 and lead all the way, winning by more than two lengths on the line from Outlandos and Spirit Ridge (GB). 

It was a record equalling fifth Grafton Cup for trainer Gai Waterhouse and the second for her co-trainer Adrian Bott, who was trackside for the race on July 13.

“He’s only lightly raced, but he’s gone from strength to strength this preparation,” he said of Zoumon.

“He knows how to win, he’s very tough, and he was aided by a terrific ride from Rachel.

“I’m not entirely sure what we’ll do (with him) next, but it’s just great to have a nice, consistent horse like him in good form.”

Bott said the stable absolutely love sending horses to Grafton each year to support the July Racing Carnival, which he described as a fantastic sporting event.

As her affinity with the time-honoured staying event continues to grow, King said it’s always great to be back in Grafton.

“It’s even better to win two cups in a row,” she added.

King also revealed she is hopeful of returning to the track in 2024 to chase her third straight win in the Grafton Cup.

“That would be nice,” she said with a smile.