Of course Empire Rose ran second, narrowly, to Kensei in the 1987 Cup before going one better the following year in 1988. She was one of the biggest mares to have raced at Flemington but like a lot of the Sir Tristram stock, enjoyed a distance and the vast open spaces at Flemington.
Sir Tristram would sire Gurner’s Lane (1982), Empire Rose (1988) and Brew (2000) – all Melbourne Cup winners. And Sir Tristram’s sire son, Zabeel would add to the tally of Cups having sired Might and Power (1997), Jezabeel (1998) and Efficient (2007) – all additions to the Melbourne Cup honour roll at Flemington.
But while getting to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November was one thing, running was another.
“Right up until an hour before there was a lot of speculation about whether she would run or not.
“Although there was no rain at Macedon Lodge (70 km north-west of Melbourne) where she was based, the heavens opened at Flemington and there was a lot of talk about whether she would handle the track.
“Scott Seamer had walked the track several times as did Brent Thompson who was racing manager for the Velas at the time.
“Not quite sure who had the final say but fortunately, the decision was made to run.
“Imagine if we didn’t?!”
While a matron now at stud, Ethereal will go down with enviable career stats of 21 race starts for eight wins and $4.76 million in prizemoney, including the 2001 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double as well as the 2002 BMW Stakes at Rosehill and the 2001 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. All Group 1 races.
In recent years, Laxon lives and trains up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with partner and trainer, John Symons and while engaging with activities connected with the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour as one of its ambassadors, always reflects back with fond memories that unfolded in the spring of 2001.
“Ethereal was an amazing mare who did so much for my career.
“There is no doubt she had a mind of her own. She was her own person – so to speak.
“But I knew early on when breaking her in, she was something special.
“It’s great she is remembered by the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield on Caulfield Cup Day and her memory lives on,” an understated Laxon explains.
It is not lost on Laxon as to her place in history. She is often acknowledged as the first female trainer of a Melbourne Cup winner ahead of fellow contemporary, Gai Waterhouse who trained Fiorente to win in 2013.
While considering herself to be in rare company she has always credited the efforts of New Zealand trainer ‘Granny’ McDonald who in 1938 was denied the opportunity to be listed as the first female Melbourne Cup winning trainer. This was due to the fact there were no female licences issued at the time in the state of Victoria. The answer to that conundrum was to transfer the 8YO into the name of her husband, Alan. Fortunately, policy has progressed since those days.
Life could have produced many outcomes for Ethereal. Fortunately for the Velas, Sheila Laxon and Scott Seamer, it proved to be the most favourable.
Image: Trainer Sheila Laxon with racehorse Ethereal at Macedon Lodge(Colin Murty/Newspix)
Image: Racehorse 'Empire Rose', ridden by jockey Tony Allan, wins the 1988 Melbourne Cup from 'Natski. (News Limited)