Dannevirke: Race-day memories flood back

As 100-1 chance Prince Of Penzance took out Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, there was a sense of deja vu for Dannevirke breeder Graeme Gimblett. Photo / Robert Cianflone

As 100-1 chance Prince Of Penzance took out Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, there was a sense of deja vu for Dannevirke breeder Graeme Gimblett.

Prince Of Penzance was the 13th individual Group One winner for Rich Hill's foundation stallion, Pentire, and it was to Pentire that Mr Gimblett put his broodmare Excelo. The result was Xcellent, who was placed third in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

"Watching the race on Tuesday brought back so many memories, even 10 years later," Mr Gimblett said.

"To have bred Xcellent and see him go on to win more than $1.4 million was tremendous. But, really, there's a lot of luck involved in the horse-breeding business and for someone to come out of the blue and clean up the best was marvellous to see."

Mr Gimblett has always had faith in Pentire and this year he has bred another filly, a half-sister to Xcellent, to the sire. The foal is 12 days old and Mr Gimblett said he went back to Pentire because "he's great".

"This Melbourne Cup win just shows how great," he said.

"When I bred Xcellent, I was just a lone breeder on a Dannevirke farm and on Tuesday I was thrilled to see someone come from nowhere too and take out the cup."