Local Legends: Hamilton Park Hero
Mention Hamilton Park Racecourse and the horse that immediately springs to mind is the great Red Cadeaux. Born on 6th March 2006, Red Cadeaux went onto race 54 times, including his success in the suburbs of Glasgow in 2011, before becoming an international star. Globetrotting wins in Ireland and Hong Kong (a group one, no less) paved the way to three agonising second places in the Melbourne Cup. All of these races helped Red Cadeaux to amass a stunning prize pot of almost £5 million—and a popular, stylish bar at Hamilton Park.
Ashley Moon, Managing Director at Hamilton Park Racecourse, is proud to have played a part in the legend’s journey. “Red Cadeaux’s win at Hamilton Park was his first Class 1 win before moving onto Group races” recalled Moon. “Even then his quality was clear, and we are immensely proud of the fact he raced and won here. He is one of the true greats and a real ‘Hamilton Park Hero!”
Red Cadeaux’s stamina was the turning point at Hamilton Park as he eventually got on top of the nine-strong field to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths at odds of 6/1. Campaigned domestically until this point, Red Cadeaux’s Hamilton Park success prompted connections to explore staying races around the world with trips to Ireland, France, Hong Kong and Australia all following in 2011.
Team Red Cadeaux after his victory in the William Hill Braveheart Handicap (Listed Race) at Hamilton Park Racecourse. Picture provided by Hamilton Park Racecourse.
All of this will have seemed a world away for his trainer, Ed Dunlop, who recalls Red Cadeaux being a “very weak & immature horse” who would struggle to run up Warren Hill when he first joined the yard having been a Book 3 sale at the Tattersalls October yearling sales. With perseverance and patience, Red Cadeaux began to develop and shortly banked three wins and six places prior to his Hamilton Park success.
Winning a Group One in Hong Kong, the home country of his owner the Hon R J Arculli, was the pinnacle of his career on the track. Perhaps his most impressive feat in defeat was at the Melbourne Cup where he was a five-time participant and runner-up in 2011, 2013 and 2014. For Ed Dunlop, these performances will never be seen as defeats with the trainer describing them as “magnificent, cementing his legacy not only in Hamilton but across the world, especially in Australia.”
In 2016, Hamilton Park unveiled their newly refurbished champagne bar in honour of Red Cadeaux. The bar features pictures and memorabilia from the legendary horse’s career including his 2011 win at the track. The defining colour scheme of the bar mirrors the famous silks carried by Red Cadeaux—those of the Hon R J Arculli.
Red’s Wine Bar, the champagne bar at Hamilton Park Racecourse named in honour of Red Cadeaux. Picture provided by Hamilton Park Racecourse.
All pictures provided by Hamilton Park Racecourse.
