Americain powered home to create history in the 2010 VRC Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.  The Dynaformer stallion became the first French stayer to win Australia’s iconic event that celebrated its 150th running yesterday.

Raced by Melbourne-based owners Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford, Americain will be a tremendous boost to the local breeding industry if he stands at stud in the Super VOBIS State.

Americain (6h Dynaformer – America by Arazi) dispatched Cox Plate hero So You Think (High Chaparral) at the furlong and then comfortably held off the late finish of Maluckyday (Zabeel) to win by nearly three lengths.  He is the third European-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup following Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002).

“I won the Arc on Saumarez in 1990 but I’m 43 now and winning this feels even better,” winning jockey Gerald Mosse said.  “Every Group 1 is a big moment but the job is so easy with the best horse.  I took my time and knew I was going to catch the favourite.”

Americain (USA) burst into calculations for the Melbourne Cup when he scored a G3 victory in the Geelong Cup.  Before relocating here, he won six races for the Aga Khan from 1400m to 3100m including G2 victories at Longchamp and Deauville.  

His sire Dynaformer (Roberto) is from the same sireline as Red Ransom and has built a dynasty of his own since retiring to Three Chimneys in Kentucky.  His stud record includes 16 Group 1 winners among 110 stakes winners.  

Dynaformer was a G2 winner up to 2000m at Gulfstream and Aqueduct.  His half-sister Alvear (Seattle Slew) is the dam of Darley stallion Offlee Wild (Wild Again) who was North America’s Champion 2YO sire with his first crop in 2009.  

Another half-sister My Annette (Red Ransom) is the dam of US Ranger (Danzig) now covering his first Australian book at Rangal Park Stud.

Americain’s dam America won races at Longchamp (3) and Maisons-Laffitte when trained by Criquette Head.  She has also thrown winners by Gone West, War Chant and Red Ransom.  She has an unraced 2yo colt named Allemand (Red Ransom) and a yearling filly by Monsun.