Saturday, 28 October 2006: The fairytale result most hoped for but few expected came to fruition with a history making win by the evergreen veteran Fields Of Omagh in today’s $3 million Tattersall’s W.S. Cox Plate in Moonee Valley.
 | Fields Of Omagh
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In a remarkable finale to his amazing career Fields Of Omagh became the oldest winner in Cox Plate history in his last racetrack appearance.
The nine-year-old’s big syndicate of owners made the call to bring down the curtain on the gelding's career at an emotional luncheon gathering last Thursday.
Fields Of Omagh won the 2003 Cox Plate at his second attempt and subsequently finished second to
Savabeel in 2004 and third last year behind the champion mare Makybe Diva.
By running in this Cox Plate Fields of Omagh joined the former great mare Tranquil Star as the only two horses to have raced in five Cox Plates in its 84-year history.
While the great Kingston Town will be revered to be the only triple Cox Plate runner Fields Of Omagh will surely go down as the most popular and courageous of all modern day runners in the famous race.
The public will now have access to Fields Of Omagh as he will be one of the foundation residents at “Living Legends”, a new retirement farm for champion race horses on Melbourne's outskirts that will have its official opening on Tuesday.
“Win, loose or draw the decision was made that this would be his last race” said trainer David Hayes.
“He will be at Living Legends for the opening on Tuesday”
Fields Of Omagh retires as the winner of 13 races with 15 minor placings from his 45 starts and career prizemoney soaring past $6.45 million with today’s historic win.
While Fields Of Omagh was the sentimental favorite he still started at the big price of $19 despite his great Cox Plate record.
His win gave Hayes his second Cox Plate win after his former champion Better Loosen Up gave his training career a magical start with his victory in 1990.
When Fields Of Omagh ran in his first three Cox Plates including his 2003 victory he was under the training of Tony McEvoy before Hayes returned from Hong Kong to take charge again of the Lindsay Park stable.
McEvoy reverted to his former role asf Hayes' stable manager and has overseen the majority of the gelding’s preparation for this year’s race in South Australia.
Fields Of Omagh has followed a tried and tested routine in recent seasons by returning to the Lindsay Park property in South Australia between every Melbourne race where McEvoy supervises his training.
Both Hayes and McEvoy admitted there will now be a big hole to fill with Fields Of Omagh leaving the stable.
“He’s been a great horse but they can’t go on forever” McEvoy said.
“I am numb with the excitement of this win but I know we are sure going to miss him in the stable”.
Moonee Valley race caller Bryan Martin is the manager of the syndicate that races Fields Of Omagh and had to contain his excitement as he called the finish of the race, admitting he was not certain if the gelding had grabbed a last stride win.
“I could see him coming but thought he wouldn’t get there and when he dived on the line I hoped he had made it, ” Martin said.
Fields Of Omagh got the last stride on the line to beat El Segundo by a nose with only a long head to the third place getter Pompeii Ruler.
Fields of Omagh winning the 2006 Tattersall's Cox Plate.
Craig Williams returning on Fields of Omagh after winning the Tattersall's Cox Plate.
 | | Posted by batman1, on 21-4-2007 7:57:10 AM
Good on ya FOO. I just wanted to mention teh superb run of Pompeii Ruler. Watch out for him in the Autumn. ”
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| | Posted by allbarone, on 29-10-2006 7:17:12 PM
good on you foo enjoy your retirement ”
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| | Posted by malcolm32, on 29-10-2006 8:11:43 AM
Fields Of Omagh, David Hayes and Tony McEvoy are legends. Mention should be made of the wonderful work of the Lindsay Park Vet - Dr Campbell Baker and the LP team who patiently cared for a horse with a withering last furlong sprint. Well done to the whole team ”
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| | Posted by mike666, on 29-10-2006 6:12:41 AM
I have heard the race referred as "the greatest two minutes in sport"and that was amazing to watch. Hard not to be emotional seeing that!! Dream result, fantastic ending, well done FOO. ”
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| | Posted by Crazza200, on 28-10-2006 6:50:58 PM
What a great result for racing and I was on
racing to win. He received a below par ride
but saying that still wasn't good enough over 2000. This result just shows how over rated
El Segundo is when he had the perfect run and
still couldn't win against a 9YO. For mine
the most unlucky runner was Aqua D'More and
look for in a race like the Mackinnion. She
should have placed in the Cox Plate. Love
to be her owner as a mare by Danehill!!!!
Today is why all true race lovers love the Cox
plate no matter if we back the winner or loser!! ”
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