Rain Lover

Rain Lover occupies a special place in the annals of Melbourne Cup history. Not only was Rain Lover one of only five horses to take more than one win at the Melbourne Cup, but he was also responsible for the fastest time ever run over 2 miles at Flemington Racecourse.

Early Career

Rain Lover had an impeccable pedigree. Sired by the son of European champion Ribot, he was named after his parents, Rain Spot and Latin Lover. Unusually for a foal of such good pedigree, Rain Lover was not turned over to a top Australian trainer, but was instead entrusted to inexperienced trainer and former coal miner, Mick Robbins.

Rain Lover’s career got off to an excellent start. As a four year old he won a series of top races, including the Adelaide Cup and Fisher Plate. When Rain Lover won the 1968 McKinnon Cup, an important Melbourne Cup preliminary race, it was clear that the racing world was about to witness something special.

Melbourne Cup Winner

Rain Lover did not disappoint, and in 1968 became Melbourne Cup champion for the first time in his career. The race was notable for the scorching record Rain Lover set as he trounced the nearest competitor by 8 lengths, of 3 minutes 19.1 seconds – a record that stood for 22 years.

Despite this brilliant display at the 1968 Melbourne Cup and a series of good wins at top class races at the start of the 1969 season, Rain Lover was not widely fancied to take a second Melbourne Cup title in 1969. Standing in his way was favourite Big Philou, who many predicted would decimate the field.

However, it was not to be for Big Philou as a doping allegation forced him out of the race less than an hour before the start of the Melbourne Cup. Big Philou’s withdrawal left the reigning Melbourne Cup champion unopposed, and Rain Lover went on to win the race, becoming only the fourth horse in history to claim a second Melbourne Cup win.

Rain Lover won only three races in his final season of racing, including the St George Stakes and the VRC Queens Plate. He was retired at the end of the season and sent to stud. Unfortunately none of this Melbourne Cup Champion’s descendents have equalled his skill and speed. Rain Lover passed away in 1989 at the ripe old age of 25.