Munsef

BBC Sport

English racehorse Munsef will attempt to become only the third European winner of the Melbourne Cup next month.

Worcestershire trainer Ian Williams is to spend £50,000 on sending Munsef to Australia's biggest horse race.

Munsef is currently in quarantine at Newmarket before he flies out to Melbourne for the race in November.

"It's fantastic, like being in the Olympics," Williams told BBC Midlands Today. "To have a runner is very satisfying."

More than 100,000 spectators attend Melbourne Cup day at Flemington Park and it is a public holiday in parts of Australia.

He's very quiet and laidback. He has the odd bite at you now and again but nothing major

Groom Dawn Oxley
Only two European horses have ever won the race, Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002.

It will cost Alvechurch-based Williams £50,000 to send Munsef to the race but the prize money is £1.7m for the winner and even 10th place pays £60,000.

"It is a huge punt but the horse merits his chance to go and we are delighted to take him," said Williams.

"Munsef was going through the sales at Doncaster in May but the top offer was only £10,000.

"He was retained by the owner and sent to me at Alvechurch. Ever since then it has been a bit of a whirlwind but the wind is still blowing so we will keep whirling."

"Munsef is a lovely horse," said groom Dawn Oxley. "He's very quiet and laidback. He has the odd bite at you now and again but nothing major."