One day after training the first trifecta in Melbourne Cup history, Ciaron Maher raised possible next moves for Point Of Law. The horse who stormed to victory with the fastest final 200 metres of the meeting could head overseas, with Maher mentioning Royal Ascot's Gold Cup, Japan and Dubai as possibilities.
The three-year-old is still raw and needs more furnishing, Maher cautioned, but he would not rule anything out. "I always thought, if I had horse good enough, the Gold Cup would be a nice race to have a horse run in," he said. "But whether he's up for that this year or next year or whether at all, he certainly has a few of the necessary ingredients."
Maher's historic achievement, first, second and third in the Cup with Point Of Law, Zahrann and Juja Kibo, capped a day of dominance. His stable collected $6.83 million from the $10.2 million purse, with five of the first six home and six of the top 10.
The win was the result of a royal acquisition. Maher bought Point Of Law from King Charles III for an estimated $4 million, a deal that included a bonus for the monarch if the horse won. “He got a nice little bonus,” Maher's head of bloodstock Will Bourne said. Maher and his mother Eileen had lunch with the King at Windsor Castle during Royal Ascot, and one owner, Damien Degenhardt, said he believed her part was important. “Ciaron's mother had an affinity with the King, and she, I believe, talked the king into selling us this horse.”
For jockey Ethan Brown, the victory was a long time coming. He nearly died in a fall in the 2023 Australian Guineas, suffering a lacerated liver, severed artery, and hairline fractures to three vertebrae. After a stop-start return, he wondered whether he should continue riding, and Maher told him he was a rider, not a trainer. “You are delusional mate, get back riding,” Brown recalled Maher saying. Brown rediscovered his hunger and chose Point Of Law over stablemate Zahrann. The decision paid off as he timed his run perfectly to overtake leader Royal Supremacy. “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,” he said.
Maher, who won his first Cup in 2022 with Gold Trip, now has two wins. He needs 10 more to equal the record of Bart Cummings, who had 12. At 45, he has time to at least eat into the difference. He said he was interested in the science of training and the use of data and systems. He compared horse training with how footy players were trained 10 years ago. “The change is huge,” he said.
The carnival continues for Maher, who has runners in the VRC Oaks, Champions Sprint and Champion Stakes. But for now, Point Of Law is the focus. "When you stop, it's over," Maher said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The potential of an Australian-trained horse competing at Royal Ascot or in Japan would raise the international profile of Australian racing.
- Maher's data-driven approach represents a modern evolution in horse training, challenging traditional methods.
- Brown's personal comeback adds a human element to the sport's biggest stage.
Background
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous horse race, run over 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse. Ciaron Maher, a 45-year-old trainer who learned from the legendary Bart Cummings, made history by training the first, second and third placegetters in the 2026 running. He bought the winner, Point Of Law, from King Charles III for an estimated $4 million, a deal that included a bonus for the monarch. Jockey Ethan Brown had suffered severe injuries in a fall in 2023 and considered quitting before Maher convinced him to return.
Key Perspectives
Ciaron Maher: believes Point Of Law could race internationally and emphasises a scientific approach to training, using data and systems to give his horses an edge.
Ethan Brown: says Maher's firm advice to keep riding saved his career and that the win vindicated his decision to return after his accident.
Will Bourne, Maher's head of bloodstock: notes that the King's deal included a bonus and that Maher was unusually confident before the race, telling Bourne a week out that Point Of Law would win the Cup.
What to Watch
- Maher's decision on Point Of Law's next target: the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, a Japanese race, or the Dubai Carnival.
- Whether Point Of Law can back up for the 2027 Melbourne Cup.
- Maher's progress toward Bart Cummings' record of 12 Cup wins; he now has two at age 45.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMaher is considering overseas races for Point Of Law.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Ciaron Maher is daring to dream with Point Of Law, saying the Melbourne Cup winner could represent his stable overseas against the world’s best once he matures after his stunning victory on Tuesday.”
- SupportedBrown overcame a near-fatal fall before riding the Melbourne Cup winner.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “After nearly losing his life in a massive fall off Maximillius in the 2023 Australian Guineas, and a stop-start return to riding, Brown wondered whether he should continue in the toughest of capers.”
- SupportedMaher said the Gold Cup would be a nice race for a good enough horse to run in, while leaving open whether Point Of Law would be ready this year, next year or at all.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I always thought, if I had horse good enough, the Gold Cup [Britain’s premier staying race, run at Royal Ascot in June} would be a nice race to have a horse run in. But whether he’s up for that this year or next year or whether at all, he certainly has a few of the necessary ingredients,” Maher said.”
- SupportedWill Bourne said the King got a nice little bonus.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““He got a nice little bonus for him winning because he owns the mare, but it was in the deal that he got a good bonus,” Maher’s head of bloodstock, Will Bourne, said.”
- SupportedDamien Degenhardt said he believed Maher’s mother had helped persuade the King to sell the horse.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Ciaron’s mother had an affinity with the King, and she, I believe, talked the king into selling us this horse,” Degenhardt said.”
- SupportedBrown recalled Maher telling him, “You are delusional mate, get back riding.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““He was very firm about that. He said, ‘You are delusional mate, get back riding’,” Brown said.”
- SupportedMaher said, “The change is huge,” comparing horse training with how footy players were trained 10 years earlier.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I always look at the way humans are trained, like footy players, compared to the way they are trained 10 years ago. The change is huge compared to the way they used to train, and I think horse racing is no different.”
- SupportedMaher said, “When you stop, it’s over.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““When you stop, it’s over,” he said.”
- SupportedMaher became the first trainer to achieve a Melbourne Cup trifecta, with Point Of Law, Zahrann and Juja Kibo.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Maher, who became the first trainer to prepare a Melbourne Cup trifecta when Zahraan and Juja Kibo filled the placings”
- SupportedPoint Of Law ran the meeting’s fastest final 200 metres.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “run the quickest final 200 metres of Tuesday’s meeting.”
- SupportedMaher’s stable collected $6.83 million from the $10.2 million purse.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Of the race’s $10.2 million purse, Maher’s horses cashed $6.83 million.”
- SupportedMaher bought Point Of Law from King Charles III for an estimated $4 million.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “An industry estimates have the price tag at about $4 million.”