Fields of Omagh Wins Second Cox Plate!

The grand old racehorse known as "Foo", considered past his best and having his final career start, treated racegoers Australia wide to one of the most famous wins in Cox Plate history at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The nine-year-old veteran, a $19 chance, proved age shall not weary him when he stormed home late to grab a last stride nose win from El Segundo ($4) with a long head to Pompeii Ruler ($15). As the trio hit the line, no one was sure who won. It seemed everyone was hoping it was Fields of Omagh. When TAB No 2 for Fields of Omagh was flashed as the winner, the massive 35,000 plus crowd roared as one. Then they stood to cheer the old champion in the most fitting farewell to racing you could imagine.

Fields of Omagh gave all conquering trainer David Hayes the Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate double and his fourth Group 1 win of the season. "He put in this great lunge right on the line, his last great big effort and it got him there.''

Part owner Bryan Martin confirmed Fields of Omagh will now be retired to stud as the winner of 13 of his 45 career starts. "He's definitely retired, he's earned it,'' Martin said. "There's no better way for him to go out.'' He joins an elite band of gallopers to win two Cox Plates, and will now be retired to the new Living Legend Retirement property for former champion race horses at Greenvale just outside of Melbourne. The property, the brain child of Martin, will be home to Might and Power, Doriemus, Saintly, Rogan Josh, Better Loosen Up, Paris Lane and Sky Heights.

- Peter Morley