Jamie Lovett: The drive for more Cup glory

This perseverance has become the foundation of Australian Bloodstock, the syndication business Lovett co-founded with Luke Murrell. Their victories in 2014 with Protectionist and in 2022 with Gold Trip were no accidents – they were the result of clear goals, good judgment, and a willingness to take the long route.

“The Melbourne Cup’s always been the pinnacle,” Lovett says. “From the early days when Luke and I started, that was always the aim – to get horses qualifying and hopefully one day have a runner in the race. We had some early success, and then we actually won it. I still feel the same today.”

Lovett’s passion for racing runs deep. I’ve been interested in it from a very young age. I’ve always owned or bred a few horses. He began attending the races with friends but was confident in his judgment from the outset. Instead of relying on agents or tipsters, Australian Bloodstock built its strategy around trusting its instincts and research. “Every morning there’s an email telling us what to buy, but we buy the horse we think is right – not the one someone else tries to sell us.”

Patience and careful planning have shaped this strategy. Horses are chosen with a future focus – staying types with potential, brought early to settle and flourish. “You’re asking a lot from these horses, bringing them to the other side of the world. They need to adapt, and their minds must cope.”

Not every star import shines on arrival. Vauban, the Irish star trained by Willie Mullins, arrived in Australia twice with high hopes – once after an impressive Royal Ascot victory in 2023 – but just didn’t deliver on Cup Day. “He’s a world-class horse, but he’s been to our great race twice and failed,” Lovett remarks. “He’s got a few head noises, loses his way a bit in the yard.”

Rather than dismissing him, Lovett believes a local campaign might unlock Vauban’s true potential. “The plan is to treat him like an Australian horse – give him time, get him accustomed to everything. Hopefully, we’ll see a better version come Cup Day.”

Gold Trip, on the other hand, didn’t require such adjustments. Despite a modest record on paper – just one win from 12 starts in Europe – Lovett saw more beneath the surface. “A few people said he was a non-winner. But he’d run in Group 1 after Group 1 in France. He just kept running into better horses.”

That quality shone through in Melbourne. He placed in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate before surging to victory in the Melbourne Cup, carrying top weight.

“The last 200 metres felt like five minutes. You can actually slow it down in your mind.”

Today, Australian Bloodstock is a global player, and Cup Week has become a fixture for their international clientele. “Bringing these overseas owners out, it’s like nothing they’ve experienced before. Once they’ve been once, they want to come again. It’s contagious.”

He doesn’t fear competition – he considers it essential, and welcomes more players into the game. “Without others, we wouldn’t see the calibre coming through. The more investment, the better for all of us.”

This spring, he’s optimistic once more. Horses like Relentless Voyager and Royal Supremacy are already in Australia, learning the nuances of local racing. “They’re here early, acclimatising, and they’ve got staying form. If they get a run, they’re genuine chances.”

Through all the miles travelled and Cups contested, Lovett’s advice remains simple.

 “Dare to dream. The bar’s high, but nothing’s impossible if you work hard enough.”