20 Years Ago: Delta Blues makes Melbourne Cup history

This win was a triumph for the Japanese connections, who had previously attempted to secure Australia’s greatest horse race without success. For trainer Katsuhiko Sumii, this result ranked among his greatest racing achievements, which also include a Japan Cup (2009) and the Dubai World Cup (2011). It also added to the growing list of Group 1 victories for jockey Yasunari Iwata, who had over 25 major wins at that time.

Delta Blues had signalled his form by finishing third to Tawqueet in the Caulfield Cup 17 days earlier. Following his racing career, Delta Blues was repatriated to the equestrian circuit and served out his days at the Off the Track centre in Tokyo, known as Old Friends Japan, where he excelled.