Vauban to stay in Australia after sale

The six-year-old started his career over the jumps and won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham before switching to the Flat where he scored at Royal Ascot and a Group Three at Naas.

He disappointed at last year’s Melbourne Cup and was again well beaten in this year's event finishing 11th under William Buick.

Now he will stay in Australia and is expected to have a third go at the big race next season.

Speaking on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast, Australian Bloodstock’s managing director Jamie Lovett said: “We’re obviously delighted to be teaming up with Gai. Gai was very keen on the horse and the horse obviously speaks for himself.

“We just had the opportunity to team up with Gai and Adrian Bott on this particular horse and he’s not one that is hard to identify.

“I’ve always been very forgiving of any horses that come down and don’t always perform off the aircraft, it’s not easy to do. We’re just hoping we can have him return to his form that he showed in the Northern Hemisphere last season and we’re excited to see what lies ahead.

“The Melbourne Cup is obviously the goal. He’s had two tries at it, so he’s going to have to defy history to do it third time around, but we feel very confident that he’s the right horse.”