10 Years Ago: Almandin’s Melbourne Cup triumph

Ten years ago, Almandin etched his name into Melbourne Cup history, delivering a memorable victory in the 2016 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

The German import, by Monsun, secured his place in the field with victory in the Bart Cummings Quality on Turnbull Stakes Day, just a month before the $6.2 million staying feature.

Carrying a light weight, Almandin was expertly ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, who claimed his second Melbourne Cup after partnering Brew to victory in 2000. McEvoy would go on to secure a third Cup triumph aboard Cross Counter in 2018.

The win was another milestone for prominent owner Lloyd Williams, marking his fifth Melbourne Cup success. Williams had previously tasted victory with Just A Dash (1981), What A Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon (2012), before adding Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020) to his remarkable record.

For trainer Robert Hickmott, the victory was his second Melbourne Cup success, following Green Moon’s win in 2012.

Almandin’s 2016 triumph remains a defining chapter in the rich history of the Melbourne Cup.